Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Chelsea star Edouard Mendy has been “massively overlooked” after failing to make the 30-man shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
Mendy, 29, enjoyed a scintillating campaign with Chelsea last season and played an instrumental role in the Blues’ Champions League-winning triumph.
The Senegalese shot-stopper, who scooped the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season award, kept nine clean sheets in Europe’s top-tier club competition.
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And Mendy equalled the record for most clean sheets in a single Champions League season, putting him alongside Santiago Canizares and Keylor Navas.
Despite an impressive campaign with the current Champions League holders, Mendy was left off of the shortlist for France Football’s sought-after individual prize.
However, Chelsea stars Jorginho, Romelu Lukaku, N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta have all been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.
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Ferdinand has now praised Mendy for his “tremendous” impact at Chelsea and was left in awe at his number of clean sheets since Thomas Tuchel's arrival.
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Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the Manchester United legend said: “I think Mendy is massively overlooked.
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“His performances, the amount of clean sheets he’s had… nobody has had more clean sheets in the Premier League since Thomas Tuchel has been here.
“He’s been tremendous. Every game I’ve watched him live and every game I’ve watched on the TV, he’s done something in the game that makes me go, ‘That’s why they’ve bought him.’
“He can be quiet for the whole game and then he just pulls out that save and that’s concentration. They’re the best goalkeepers.”
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Mendy’s absence from the Ballon d'Or shortlist has been slammed as “unacceptable” by Senegal teammate and Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly has also criticised the decision to leave the Senegal international off the 30-man shortlist.
Both Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger have thrown their support behind Chelsea teammate Mendy after his Ballon d'Or snub.
Rudiger recently asked the press: “Someone explain why he’s [Mendy] not nominated for the Ballon d'Or?”
Mendy showcased his magnificent form last Saturday with a string of superb saves in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Brentford.
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Ferdinand called the Chelsea star “unreal” for his performance and believes former Blues boss Frank Lampard deserves credit for luring him to Stamford Bridge.
“Mendy was unreal. He’s got to be one of the signings of last season,” he added.
“Shoutout to Frank Lampard for signing him because that was a great bit of business. But what a performance [against Brentford].
“[He's] a goalkeeper that will instil confidence in a backline. You look back and go, ‘Yeah, my man is protecting us, don’t worry! They breach us, he’s there and they’ve still got another wall to go through.’”
France Football’s ceremony for the Ballon d'Or winner will be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 29th November.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVETopics: Edouard Mendy, Rio Ferdinand, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, England