Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has hailed the performances Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has delivered since sealing a move to Stamford Bridge back in September.
After being linked with a whole host of goalkeepers throughout the summer in an attempt to provide competition for the under-fire Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea made the decision to make a move for Mendy from Rennes.
The Senegalese shot-stopper was seen as a left-field choice by the Blues, with the likes of Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid and Ajax's Andre Onana having been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, Mendy was seen as a cheaper option, though he cost the club more than £20million.
Nevertheless, the early signs appear promising, with the 28-year-old having recorded five clean sheets in his first six outings prior to Wednesday night's Champions League tussle against his former club at Stamford Bridge.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: "We watched him here against Palace earlier in the season and I think it was his first game and he was very assured.
"He is a huge size, a great specimen, but the guy makes saves. He makes important saves at important times.
"He made a couple of mistakes at Old Trafford [against Manchester United] with his feet but it didn't affect him at all. He didn't appear to drop any confidence.
"The guy looks as though he has come here to say 'look, I'm here to make saves.'"
Ferdinand was not the only BT Sport pundit singing the praises of Chelsea's new No.1, with former Blues midfielder Joe Cole also having been very impressed by what he has seen from him so far.
"It is unfortunate for Kepa. You have to feel for him because he is a good lad," Cole added. "He just hasn't settled.
"But this guy [Mendy] has come in and he looks assured. You know when you have got a good goalkeeper behind you.
"Like with good centre-halves, you don't want to be seeing them making last ditch tackles. He just seems to make good, steady saves in easy fashion.
"I wouldn't say he has had a game for Chelsea where he has been outstanding and won them a game, but if he is going to be the next level 'keeper he will have to get to that level.
"But so far he has been steady and it looks like the defence enjoy playing with him behind them."
