A goalkeeper problem threatens to arise at Chelsea. First choice Edouard Mendy injured his thigh during the training camp of the national team of Senegal. The goalkeeper recently taken over from Stade Rennes for 24 million euros has now been sent back to London by the Senegalese Football Association. A second medical test at Chelsea is to determine the definitive nature of the injury.

Mendy had joined the Senegal national team for the friendly matches against Morocco on Friday evening and Mauritania (October 13). However, the thigh injury throws a spanner in the works for the millions in gain the Blues. Mendy was under the bar at Chelsea during the last two matches. He kept his goal clean against fellow townsman Crystal Palace (4-0). The closing post was unable to prevent elimination in the third round of the EFL Cup. Tottenham Hotspur was held at 1-1, but the team of manager José Mourinho converted after taking penalties: 5-4.

Mendy’s injury may pose a problem for manager Frank Lampard. The former midfielder does not really see it in Kepa, which was taken over from Athletic Club in 2018 for eighty million euros, which was a record amount at the time. The Spanish goalkeeper started the season as first choice, but after his mistake against Liverpool (0-2), from which Sadio Mané managed to score, Kepa is no longer under the bar. Willy Caballero was preferred in the duels with Barnsley (6-0) and West Bromwich Albion (3-3). However, the latter did not make a strong impression either, so it remains to be seen who will get a starting place at Chelsea on 17 October against Southampton.

Chelsea has a busy schedule to finish after the international match. Four days after the home game against Southampton, the Champions League adventure opens with a home game against Sevilla. A week later, on October 28, an away match against FK Krasnodar will follow. The other opponent in the group stage of the billion dollar ball is Stade Rennes, Mendy’s old employer. In between, the Premier League squatter against Manchester United is scheduled for October 24.