Sport Chelsea keeper Mendy 'could make shock early return against Sevilla'

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Edouard Mendy could make a shock return for Chelsea's clash against Sevilla after returning to training earlier than expected, according to reports.

The Senegal goalkeeper was expected to be ruled out of the Champions League Group E clash against Julen Lopetegui's side on Tuesday after suffering a thigh injury in a training session while on international duty.

But The Telegraph claim that Mendy - who missed the Blues' disappointing 3-3 draw against Southampton on Saturday - could now feature having trained for the past two days at the club's Cobham base.

Lampard praises Mendy and Thiago Silva for role in Chelsea clean sheet

Two of Chelsea's new signings impressed Frank Lampard as the Blues earned a clean sheet and a point against Sevilla in the Champions League. © Getty Images Edouard Mendy rolls the ball out as Chelsea draw with Sevilla The Blues' last outing saw them concede three times as Southampton snatched a draw at Stamford Bridge, but they looked a far more solid outfit en route to their first point in Group E on Tuesday evening. Lampard had made three changes to his defence from Saturday, bringing in Reece James at right-back, Mendy in goal and Silva in the heart of the back four.

Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from French club Rennes. If the deal can be tied up, Mendy would compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero to be Mendy did not train with Rennes on Friday morning, even though they are playing Nimes on Sunday.

Chelsea paid a world-record £71.6million for Kepa in the summer of 2018 but while the young keeper loves life in London, is struggling to convince Lampard that he is cut out for the Premier League. 2. Kepa's shocking stats in 2019-20.

© Provided by Daily Mail Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy could make a shock return for Chelsea's clash against Sevilla

The news appears to have given Chelsea boss Frank Lampard a late selection headache over whether to risk the new signing, stick with Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga - who made another mistake for one of the Saints' goals at Stamford Bridge - or play veteran Willy Caballero.

Mendy - a summer signing from Rennes - kept a clean sheet on his Blues debut in their 4-0 victory against Crystal Palace before the international hiatus, momentarily stemming a flow which has seen the Blues concede 63 goals in 43 league games under Lampard.

The Chelsea boss however insisted he knows how to shore up his side's leaky defence, and  pointed out another ratio of his own to the contrary to highlight just where the Blues must tighten up.

Lampard: Including Cech in Chelsea squad is 'not for the romance'

Frank Lampard insists the decision to include Petr Cech in Chelsea's Premier League squad more than a year after his retirement is based upon common sense and not romance. Cech's inclusion was confirmed as Lampard savoured the relief of a clean sheet against Sevilla in the Champions League.It was his first goalless draw since taking charge at Stamford Bridge and the perfect response to the criticism aimed at his defensive unit and his goalkeepers this season.

Chelsea enjoyed a major boost ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland when Petr Cech returned to full training. That error against Norwich capped an erratic display from Hilario, and manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed after that game that Cech 'might' be available for the

Chelsea made it 13 Premier League wins in a row after defeating a stubborn Stoke City 4-2, while Manchester United left it late to come from behind and see off Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of the Premier League as table-topping Chelsea look to continue brilliant good form against Stoke City.

'In terms of the goals conceded, I am aware of that stat - but the other stat is that since I've been here we've conceded the second-least shots in the Premier League, I think behind Manchester City,' said Lampard.

© Provided by Daily Mail Mendy missed the draw against Southampton which saw Kepa Arrizabalaga make an error

© Provided by Daily Mail But Mendy is now back from his thigh injury and has trained for the last two days for the club

'That helps sometimes narrow down some of the issues, and the issues are that we don't concede many shots on our goal, but when we do, we concede goals.

'And it's something we're aware of, and we're aware of when you look at recruitment, but, more importantly than that, when you work every day on the pitch with the players to make sure that when we hopefully set up well we don't concede many chances.

'But the chances we do concede we let in too many, and that's something we work on specifically.

Lampard confirms Mendy is Chelsea's No 1, not Kepa

The Chelsea boss had said that Mendy would just provide competition for the error-prone Kepa, but he has changed his mind after Mendy's clean sheet in the goalless draw against Sevilla. Asked if Mendy was now first choice, Lampard said: 'At the moment yes, he's shown his quality. © Provided by Daily Mail Edouard Mendy was solid as Chelsea recorded their first goalless draw under Frank Lampard © Provided by Daily Mail Lampard's men kept a clean sheet against Sevilla in their opening Champions League clash 'The way he's played, he's played very well, that's two clean sheets for him already.

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois not swayed by lure of big-money move: 'I prefer to play in big teams Thibaut Courtois has enjoyed another impressive season so far with Chelsea And the keeper gave an insight into what the mood is like within the Stamford Bridge dressing

Manchester City hope to sign £40m rated Benjamin Mendy in time for tour of America after Manchester City are confident they can sign Benjamin Mendy from Monaco Pep Guardiola hopes to have the player on board for club's tour of America Monaco left back Mendy , rated at £40m, is a long-term target and City are optimistic a move can

© Provided by Daily Mail Meanwhile, Lampard has insisted he knows exactly how to fix Chelsea's leaky defence

'And of course we want to concede fewer goals, as all teams do at the moment. Teams are conceding a lot of goals in the Premier League, and we're all in a similar position to a degree with that at the moment. But it will always be something we work on as much as we do our attacking play.

'I wouldn't say my DNA is to be a natural attacking manager; every manager wants to build a balanced team and one that can be strong in both defence and attack.

'We're working hard defensively and we're always trying to improve on that. The main thing particularly for ourselves is that there has been a lack of preparation which if you're working with new players or small changes, that takes time. And hopefully that will keep improving now.'