Senegal Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy Details His Journey From Being Without a Club to Joining Chelsea

• Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's path to the top is a story of perseverance and determination
• The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner went from being club-less to a fourth choice goalkeeper at Marseille before getting a breakthrough at Rennais
• Edouard Mendy remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world after playing huge roles in the success of Chelsea and Senegal recently

Edouard Mendy has disclosed that he dearly quit football following frustrations of being jobless after his contract with French fourth tier side Cherbourg expired when he was 22.

The Senegal shot-stopper considered switching careers as he struggled to get a new club.

However, his luck struck after a year of playing without salary at boyhood club Le Havre, when Olympique Marseille came calling.

And at Marseille, he had to play as a fourth choice goalkeeper following the departures of Julien Fabri and Brice Samba.

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"For a football player or anybody else, being unemployed is like getting slapped across the face," Mendy told So Foot magazine.

"Repeated failures leave marks on you, and you start thinking that maybe you are not made for it."

Mendy's determination paid off as he started training with the first team of Marseille and was under the tutelage of French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

"I reached a new level in Marseille," continued the Senegal goalkeeper.

"I trained with the pros throughout the year, which you normally would not expect as a No. 4 keeper.

"It was proof that I performed well and made all the efforts required. It was a rewarding year.

"Training alongside players like Lassana Diarra, Abou Diaby... and winning duels against Steven Fletcher or Michy Batshuayi brought a lot to me."

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Although Mendy worked hard, his chances of getting play time were limited, so he had to move to the Ligue 2 side Stade Reims.

First choice goalkeeper Johann Carrasso was sent off in a game and that was when Mendy got his breakthrough.

He helped Reims gain promotion, leading to interest from Stade Rennais, who broke the bank to pay £3.5million for the shot-stopper in the summer of 2019.

A year later, Mendy would join Chelsea on the recommendation of club legend Petr Cech.

Edourd Mendy meets legendary Brazilian forward Ronaldo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Edouard Mendy has shared his excitement after meeting former Real Madrid and Brazil forward Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima.

The Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper met the legendary striker in Davos at the World Economic Forum, which was making a return after a two-year hiatus.

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Mendy took to social media to express gratitude to FIFA and CAF for giving him to the opportunity to speak at the forum and also share the stage with the 'Fenomeno'.