Absence from Ballon d'Or shortlist motivates me, reveals Edouard Mendy
Mendy comments on Ballon d'Or snub
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Edouard Mendy has admitted that he was baffled to learn that he was not included in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or but revealed that his omission motivated him to work harder to achieve greater things in the future. Mendy was instrumental for Chelsea in their Champions League triumph.
Edouard Mendy signed for Chelsea on a five-year contract in the summer of 2020 from Rennes for a reported fee of ÂŁ22 million. Mendy underwent a tremendous start to the season as he kept a clean sheet in their first three Premier League matches since Petr Cech did for the London club in 2004. The Senegalese goalkeeper has made 59 appearances for the Blues while keeping 34 clean sheets across all competitions. The 29-year-old helped the English club secure a Champions League and a UEFA Super Cup during his time at the club so far.
Mendy was instrumental during Chelsea's Champions League run as he equaled the record of most clean sheets in a Champions League season by keeping nine clean sheets. A total of 30 players are typically included in the shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award and this year's edition only contains one goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma who was rewarded for his heroics in helping Italy win the Euro 2020 over the summer. The Chelsea goalkeeper missed out on being named in the final candidates for the award and expressed his disappointment in not being named.
"It's something that motivates me and pushes me to work. Honestly, I am wondering If I had played for France and had taken part in the [European Championships], would we have this debate and this reflection? "Do I think it's an injustice? No, I wouldn't use that word. It's something that motivates me to go forward, to work and to perform at club level and with my country. As I said after the game with the national team, it's the journalists' freedom of vote and expression, and they vote honourably and conscientiously,"Â Mendy told Canal Plus.
