Thomas Tuchel has refused to confirm whether Edouard Mendy will remain the No 1 goalkeeper at Chelsea after the Senegalese shot-stopper was dropped for the side's opening Champions League group game against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
Mendy has been a regular starter for the Blues between the sticks ever since he arrived at Stamford Bridge two years ago. However, he has made high-profile errors in recent games against Leeds and West Ham, leaving some questioning his place in the team.
Tuchel named Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal in Zagreb, and admitted that this was the time for Mendy to 'take a breath' after his indifferent start to the season.
'First of all most important is that Kepa deserves to play since a long time,' Tuchel told BT Sport prior to kick-off.
'We have two goalkeepers who compete at the highest level. It’s a new competition it’s maybe a good opportunity to take a breath for Edouard [Mendy] who was a bit unlucky in the last games – not bad but unlucky.
'And he has some problems with the patella tendon at the knee, he’s not 100% fit at the moment so we took the chance to give him the break and gave Kepa the confidence to start in the Champions League.'
Mendy's struggles on the pitch have coincided with potential issues away from it as the 30-year-old has reportedly rejected a contract extension at Chelsea.
He still has almost three years left on his current deal with the club, but has decided to not follow Reece James in putting pen to paper on a new contract for now.
Tuchel has been known to rotate his goalkeepers in cup competitions in the past, most notably handing Kepa a start in the FA Cup final against Leicester last year.
When asked whether this was another case of rotation, Tuchel reiterated that Kepa deserves the chance to play, and did not state when Mendy would be back in goal.
Tuchel continued: 'It’s a decision for Kepa and we took advantage of the possibility that it is Champions League, and he needs an important match now to build the trust because he deserves it.'
Seciopy
1
sack Tuchel simple
Tebbcry
0
you're a baller my brother until Tuchel is sacked this is what I always tell them we won't make top four this season
The man has no clue no trick anymore just put players no motivation. For now I’ll try to stop watching Chelsea matches
Seciopy
1
Chelsea will not go anywhere this season I’m a Chelsea fan but seeing what we’re playing until TT is sacked no going forward he has no more tricks on his sleeve
you're a baller my brother until Tuchel is sacked this is what I always tell them we won't make top four this season
kayclmstuy
0
this coach need to change that system and just play with 4 defender and 5 midfielder with 3 striker than we can be very much strong just like man city please
I have never seen 13 players on a pitch
kayclmstuy
0
Maybe if Mendy is the one under the goalie, dinamo won't score that goal..
shut up
cobimpr
2
Mendy said he should be paid more since he played more. Kepa said he should play more since he is paid more. The fan thinks who play better should play more. The coach thinks who paid more should play more. The result wooooooo!
Loueptuy
0
....it's a contract issue let play the one who is paid the most.
Dahaceinor
0
And then they lost!🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
fihacepy
0
He is not unlucky. He is just carried away by the praise he got previously.
ricdeiknu
0
if Chelsea management did not let tuchel go, the club will not win any trophies in his career
ricdeiknu
0
tuchel need to be sack
bello7
1
now this is so sehxually🤣
Madcap_237
1
Imagine Mendy transitioning to a Gooner by January..........
zayaimny
1
how the goal came
JoeRock
5
Maybe if Mendy is the one under the goalie, dinamo won't score that goal..
Jiubcnpsty
3
tell him to stop using juju only in Africa
Pharardekal
3
Thomas Tuchel deserves to be sack..... You and Mount I don't know if you guys are aware of trash 🗑️ you two become
Badhur
2
Sack that stupid coach
Alfatah
1
Chelsea problem base on attacking and the coach focus on defending for all the match that Chelsea has play in spite of many signings Chelsea has never score goals by creativity but by chance or by penalty I think the coach has lost his form or he has lost his creativity Chelsea are not just a team with creativity in front of post
Pohabcdmn
1
Now this Coach started too much excuses, the downfall is slowly starting to see it self with this Coach n style of play, Chelsea need Jose Murhino
Criticaldamage
1
He’s not good
butaekoprz
2
I believe, the manager is not focused
Sozcenpu
1
ziyech sucks
DominicChege
0
Toucheal is building a team no one will love to play with. Even if you don't have to score them,you will be forced to score them. it's now compulsory to score against Chealsea
[image]
hahaaa
fozmrstuz
2
Wise coaches don't openly criticize players
Vuzdeoptyz
0
karius Impact
Gunners4ever❤
0
Guess, it’s a German thing to find excuses 😂
Yeah you're right visitor[Crylaugh]
dauabcituy
0
Toucheal is building a team no one will love to play with. Even if you don't have to score them,you will be forced to score them. it's now compulsory to score against Chealsea
[image]
You are such a troller 😂😂😂
menbcekoty
1
So he's been unlucky for a year now? Come on Tuchel, stop acting like Klopp.
Guess, it’s a German thing to find excuses 😂
Nhlapo
0
Gunners4ever❤
4
So he's been unlucky for a year now? Come on Tuchel, stop acting like Klopp.
magnumpi
0
I totally blame Tuchel in this one now cos I see mount and kovacic with azplicueta at the back... Fofana will try to cover him but still fresh for him to do that, people just come out here and say Fofana, please allow him he's still learning his team mates..
the man has good players he have to deliver this season
magnumpi
1
you have two good keep good subtitutes but still yet can't win EPL now that you have bought your own players we expect you to lift the premier league this season
akiamo
3
The earlier we fire 🔫 TT, the better 👌!
lu30
1
let's wait our kepas arms
zaaapsyz
4
Beelmpr
0
You guys want kappa on post
Kappa having been good for years because Mendy is black guy people complain all the time in England no keeper is better of him compared him with city keeper
BarcaChelArg
0
Manager Kepa resurrects after kicking him out of action by Mendy
sprinter0012
2
I totally blame Tuchel in this one now cos I see mount and kovacic with azplicueta at the back... Fofana will try to cover him but still fresh for him to do that, people just come out here and say Fofana, please allow him he's still learning his team mates..
sprinter0012
0
You guys want kappa on post
They have seen the result I think they are happy now
LM10great
1
It ain’t the goal keeper those defenders don’t also do their job very well
sprinter0012
0
See as that strike use 90m fofana score goal
but let me ask something if he tackled the player and got sent off leaving his team one man down... what then will you say.. Answer me
Tebbcry
0
Chelsea will not go anywhere this season I’m a Chelsea fan but seeing what we’re playing until TT is sacked no going forward he has no more tricks on his sleeve
jataikpsy
0
this coach need to change that system and just play with 4 defender and 5 midfielder with 3 striker than we can be very much strong just like man city please
Gwinghltd
3
Toucheal is building a team no one will love to play with. Even if you don't have to score them,you will be forced to score them. it's now compulsory to score against Chealsea
yipbdeikpz
0
So Mendy was dropped because of this
Duhacdikor
1
don't blame Coach just blame defender
Beelmpr
1
You guys want kappa on post
baroyeng
1
Mandy deserves a break for real
AyomataUche
0
Kepa has collected 1