Edouard Mendy’s place in the Champions League final is in doubt after he was withdrawn at half-time during Chelsea’s final game of the season against Aston Villa.
The 29-year-old is coming to the end of his first campaign with the Blues after signing from Rennes last summer, and has featured in 11 of Chelsea’s 12 Champions League games en route to Saturday’s final in Porto.
However, the Senegalese goalkeeper could find himself missing out on the biggest game of his career due to a collision with the post.
Aston Villa took the lead shortly before half-time at Villa Park through former Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore, Mendy throwing himself across in an effort to stop the ball that resulted in his body wrapping around the right-hand post.
Mendy made it through to half-time but did not re-emerge after the break and was replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea fans will also be sweating on the fitness of N’Golo Kante ahead of the clash with Manchester City after he was not included in the matchday squad at Villa Park.
Kante had lasted just 32 minutes in Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Leicester, although manager Thomas Tuchel had assured supporters his removal was just precautionary.
“He felt his hamstring and was worried that he would get injured if he continued to play,” Tuchel said on the night.
Ahead of the Villa game, Tuchel subsequently said Kante was close to fitness once again.
“it’s going to be very close but there are some hopes he joins team training tomorrow,” Tuchel said on Friday.
“If not, he’ll join on Monday.”
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