Chelsea news: Pundit verdict on Edouard Mendy ‘blunder’ as Thomas Tuchel speaks out
Frank McAvennie has claimed Edouard Mendy needs to have “an understanding” with his defenders at Chelsea.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said defenders must “have confidence” to give the ball back to their goalkeeper.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were defeated 3-0 by Leeds on Sunday (21 August).
The victory was the Yorkshire club’s first win in 20 years against the London side.
As shown by Sky Sports (21 August), Mendy was dispossessed by Brenden Aaronson inside his own six-yard box and the Leeds’ attacker punished the keeper’s mistake by scoring.
As quoted by the Guardian (21 August), Tuchel said the 30-year-old knows he made a mistake.
He added that the Senegal international cost the side “a lot” at Elland Road.
When asked by Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen for his reaction to the keeper’s blunder on Sunday, McAvennie said: “Keepers have made a few mistakes recently, you look at the likes of [David] de Gea.
“We’ve seen keepers making absolute blunders. You need to have an understanding between centre-halves and the keeper. Keepers need to know when to go for the ball and when their defenders are going to come and take it.
“It’s an understanding you’ve got and you have to have belief and confidence in your keeper as well. Likewise, they’ve got to have confidence giving the ball to them as well. It’s a balancing act.“
In other news, a pundit has told Chelsea to sanction Callum Hudson-Odoi exit after journalist’s Newcastle United update.