After three years at Stamford Bridge, Edouard Mendy bid the Blues’ supporters farewell in a way that seemed to insult Chelsea’s new ownership.
On Wednesday night, the custodian signed a contract with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli, making him the third Chelsea player to secure a move to the Middle East following Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante.
During the closing years of Roman Abramovich’s 19-year control of the west London club, the 31-year-old joined the club in 2020 from Ligue 1 side Rennes, and Mendy was eager to express his thanks to the hierarchy that brought him to Chelsea.
The club’s current co-controlling owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Jose Feliciano, who acquired it in May 2022, as well as sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, did not get any such private communications, though.
Mendy posted the remark to Instagram along with a carousel of pictures that featured his victory in the 2021 Champions League.
Mendy said, “Chelsea.”
It’s difficult to say goodbye as I get ready to start a new chapter in my professional life. The past three years have been amazing to wear the Chelsea jersey, and we have experienced fantastic success during that time, including winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Roman, Marina (Granovskaia), Petr (Cech), Christophe (Lollichon, a former Chelsea goalkeeping coach), and the entire staff for enabling me to represent this esteemed club,” said the player. I appreciate my mentors and the entire staff for helping me learn priceless lessons and advance.
“I would especially like to thank all of my teammates for the incredible journey we undertook together. Additionally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the supporters for their unwavering support during my time at Chelsea.
Despite the fact that it’s time for me to start over. With the new owners at the helm, I truly wish the team ongoing success and many championships in the years to come.
‘Edou.’
Following the takeover, both Granovskaia and Cech, who had worked for the oligarch in various business positions for years, left the club. Granovskaia had been Abramovich’s trusted director of Chelsea. She had been appointed to the top position in west London after years of service.
Injuries marred Mendy’s final season at Stamford Bridge, and he struggled to reclaim the No. 1 shirt from Kepa Arrizabalaga, whom he had previously overtaken upon moving to the club three years earlier.
The custodian is not the only departing Chelsea player whose goodbye letter gained notice on Wednesday night. Under Thomas Tuchel, the custodian won the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup and the Champions League.
Kai Havertz – who completed a £65million move across London to Premier League rivals Arsenal – vented his frustration on social media that his announcement in north London had been leaked before he could say goodbye to Chelsea fans.
The German said he was ‘upset’ fans had to learn about the transfer through a leaked video, and insisted it wasn’t how he would have done it but thanked them for their support in an effusive message.