Senegal teammates rally behind Chelsea keeper Mendy ahead of England clash

Senegal players say goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is ready to prove his critics wrong againsyt England in their World Cup round of 16 clash.

Senegal keeper Mendy has lost his status as Chelsea 's No.1, after struggling with injury, poor form and a lack of faith from new boss Graham Potter. Since Potter took over at Chelsea in September, Mendy has started just two Premier League games - and only because Kepa Arrizabalaga was out injured.

Despite those blunders, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has stood by Mendy, with back-up keeper, Queens Park Rangers' Seny Dieng, insisting he remains a world-class stopper.

“Of course he was struggling with injury, so it's hard," said Dieng. “But I think he's definitely back now. He won the best keeper in the world award, so he's definitely one of the best in the world. He's an outstanding goalkeeper."

Mendy's Chelsea team-mate, Senegal skipper Kalidou Koulibaly, also leapt to his defence, insisting the 30-year-old is an asset, not a liability.

“We speak a lot, we play for the same club and we're brothers in arms for Senegal," said Koulibaly. “He's a very important player for us and it's normal to go through difficult phases."