Edouard Mendy Receives Rousing Welcome from Chelsea Teammates after AFCON Heroics

• Mendy was named goalkeeper of the tournament in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations
• He helped Senegal win the tournament with impressive performances and a penalty save in the final
• The 29-year-old is back with his club teammates, who showered him with applause when he rejoined them in lovely scenes

Edouard Mendy arrived back to Chelsea to a rousing ovation from his club teammates following his success at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old saved a penalty in the shootout against Egypt to help his country Senegal to their first-ever title in the continental spectacle at the expense of Mohammed Salah’s Egypt.

Mendy briefly went back to Senegal after the final to celebrate with his countrymates, before eventually flying to Abu Dhabi.

While in Senegal, Mendy shared on his social media photos and videos of himself alongside his national teammates onboard a bus as they toured the streets of Dakar to celebrate their triumph.

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Barely 36 hours later and Mendy was back in England, where he was received by his Chelsea teammates in the most befitting way.

Chelsea shared a clip on the club’s social media showing Mendy greeting his teammates including Marcos Alonso and Jorginho, while others applauded the Senegal hero.

Mendy can also be seen hugging Matteo Kovacic and Antonio Rudiger, who is of Sierra Leone descent.

After the triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations, Mendy can follow it up with another silverware in only a matter of days as Chelsea are embarking in the Club World Cup.

The Blues face Al Hilal on Wednesday, February 9, but it is yet to be confirmed whether Mendy will feature in the clash.

“He has to arrive first, we have to check him and talk to him," Chelsea’s assistant boss Zsolt Low said yesterday.

“We'll see if it's possible he plays, maybe.”

Salah back with Liverpool

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Elsewhere, Liverpool have also been handed a boost as their star man Mohammed Salah arrived back in England and has begun training with the team

Salah did not get a chance to strike from 12 yards in the shootout during the AFCON final as Egypt missed two of their first four penalties to ultimately hand Senegal initiative.

While Salah has made his return, his counterpart Sadio Mane is not expected to return immediately as he is still in Senegal after the AFCON triumph.

Mendy named best goalkeeper in AFCON

Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported about Mendy’s personal triumph as he was crowned the goalkeeper of the tournament at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

But in a commendable show of respect and class, Mendy instead claimed Egypt goalkeeper Abou Gabal ‘Gabaski’ should have been named the 2021 AFCON keeper of the tournament.

Gabaski featured in four games for Egypt and conceded just once as he produced some epic performances to lead his country to the final.

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