Edouard Mendy a 'bargain' signing for Chelsea given Kepa's mistakes, says Frank Leboeuf
Edouard Mendy will prove a 'bargain' for Chelsea and will be an immediate upgrade for Frank Lampard, according to Frank Leboeuf.
Chelsea are set to sign Mendy from Rennes as Lampard prepares to replaces Kepa as his No.1 keeper following a string of mistakes.
Kepa was signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £71million - a world-record transfer fee for a keeper.
However, the 25-year-old Spain international has struggled to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, with question marks over his shot-stopping.
Kepa has started both of Chelsea's Premier League games this season despite Willy Caballero replacing him as No.1 during last season's run-in.
But with Chelsea closing in on a deal for Mendy, Kepa's latest mistake - gifting the ball to Sadio Mane to score Liverpool's second goal in Sunday's 2-0 win at the Bridge - appears to have sealed his fate.
Asked for his view on Mendy's suitability for Chelsea, former Blues defender Leboeuf told ESPN: "Well, comparing to what we see from Kepa... Kepa is doing what he does best - mistakes - yes, Mendy is much better than that.
"He had a very good season in Reims, signed for Rennes and had a very good season for Rennes.
"So I am very confident that he can do the job and much better than Kepa, and even much better than Caballero.
"So I don't know if there is another goalkeeper who Chelsea could find but for that amount of money - yeah it's kind of a bargain to have Mendy.
"He's a tall goalkeeper, very agile and I'm sure he's going to do the job.
"But Kepa cannot do the job anymore. It's over."
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