Chelsea chief Granovskaia lauded for 'one of Blues' best signings' after Brentford win
Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia and advisor Petr Cech have been praised for
the signing of Edouard Mendy after the goalkeeper’s heroics snatched three points for the Blues
against Brentford. The comments, which came from former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino,
are significant indeed considering the hoard of superstars who have come through the doors
at Stamford Bridge in recent years.
Thomas Tuchel’s side withstood a barrage of late pressure at the Brentford Community
Stadium to emerge with a 1-0 victory.
Ben Chilwell’s goal made the difference, and although the woodwork saved Chelsea on
more than one occasion, Mendy was the one reaping the plaudits after the full-time whistle.
An overhead-kick by Christian Norgaard was spectacularly saved at the death, drawing
compliments from Tuchel and a Ballon D’or plea from team-mate Antonio Rudiger.
After his heroics between the sticks, Cascarino went on to brand Mendy one of the best signings
Chelsea have ever made.
“Chelsea dug deep. Had a goalkeeper that performed miracles and you could argue that
he’s been one of Chelsea’s best ever signings,” he told talkSPORT.
“He cost £17million from Rennes, came in and seemed to breeze into the team. Showed
no signs of concerns of nerves.
“Yesterday was a day that made you think ‘wow’.”
It was a massive claim from Cascarino considering that the likes of Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele
and Ashley Cole have all been signed by the Blues in the past two decades.
Cech was not a bad signing himself, and the Czech goalkeeper would have been instrumental
in the recruitment of Mendy given their common history at Rennes.
He was snapped up in 2020 after the disastrous form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who Chelsea signed
for a world record fee two years prior.
The Spaniard now finds himself consigned to the bench, and a million things must be running
through his mind as praise floods in for his replacement.
Making the decision was a necessary evil, however, and it has turned out to be a sensational
call based on how things have gone so far.
The stopper, who only played his first topflight season at the age of 26, could now be instrumental
in a hugely competitive Premier League title race.
Retaining the Champions League will also be on Chelsea’s to do list.
Domestic and European honours are a tall order, but their strong foundation at the back is
undeniable, and the club have a lot to thank Granovskaia, Cech and Mendy himself for in
that regard.