‘I look at Haaland like I look at, say, Benteke at Palace’
Chelsea goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy believes preparing for new Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is ‘not that different’ from facing Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke.
Mendy has enjoyed a successful start to life with the Blues, registering 48 clean sheets in his first 93 appearances. He has also won the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
With the Premier League boasting a number of the world’s best strikers, the Senegal international keeper is already doing his homework in preparation for the new season.
Haaland or Benteke?
However, he believes that it is important to stay focused on every striker in the league, whether that be City frontman Haaland, or Palace’s Benteke.
“I study,” he said, as per the Mirror. “I study a lot. It’s not about one striker or one team – we just have to focus on every striker, every team we play to win. It’s not because it’s Haaland.
“I look at Haaland like I look at, say, Benteke at Palace – it’s not that different between Crystal Palace and City. You have to be focused because he is a striker and he can score.
“So I study. I study. We have our methods and I don’t need to say what they are. But I study a lot. A lot.”
Eduoard Mendy: "We have to focus on every striker… It’s not because it’s Haaland. I look at Haaland like I look at, say, Benteke at Palace – it’s not that different between Crystal Palace and #ManCity. You have to be focused; he's a striker, he can score." [via @MirrorFootball]
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 12, 2022
Ready for new season under new ownership
Mendy played an important role in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations win back in February, denying Egypt in the final. After an intense campaign, the 30-year-old is excited to return after recharging his batteries over the summer.
“We [Chelsea] have a new owner so it’s a new era,” he said. “Some people are coming and some have left us. That’s life in the club. But we are excited to start.
“My summer was good. I enjoyed the time with my family and I think we all needed it after a long season, especially with the AFCON. I needed the break to be ready mentally and physically for the new year. Now we are.”
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign against Everton at Stamford Bridge on August 6.
Related links:
- Edouard Mendy critical of ‘brother’ Sadio Mané’s elbow challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta
- Real Madrid planning to activate Erling Haaland release clause
- Erling Haaland ‘views’ Paul Pogba’s £3m Cheshire mansion
