JUST IN: CHELSEA STAR WINS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON AFTER INCREDIBLE RUN

This time one year ago Edouard Mendy was just signing for Chelsea. After a whirlwind 12 months, he’s now just won the UEFA Champions League goalkeeper of the season.

Mendy was given the award, after conceding just 4 goals in the whole competition last season. That’s 9 clean sheets in 12 games, the most by an English team’s keeper in the competition’s history.

For a player who was in the lower leagues not long ago – and without a club at all not long before that – it’s the climax of a quite amazing rise. Signing for Chelsea seemed like the pinnacle of his career a year ago – now he’s a Champions League winner and preparing to defend the trophy in his second season.

It’s a testament to his great personality and ability, as well as the superb scouting work done by Chelsea and their director of football Petr Cech, who identified Mendy long ago as a top prospect.