Our special guest is Édouard Mendy — Champions League and AFCON winner, FIFA’s ‘The Best’ and UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021. From nearly giving up football at a French job centre with a baby on the way, to holding the joint record for most clean sheets in a Champions League season, his rise to the top is one of football’s greatest stories.
Now playing alongside Mahrez, Firmino, and Toney at Al Ahli, Édou is also making his mark as a passionate investor, helping founders build great businesses. As he puts it, ‘it’s not just about football and not just about money.’
We dive into his journey: overcoming challenges, his time at Chelsea, and his mission to develop football in West Africa. A rare insight into the life of a top-tier player—on and off the pitch.
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:45) From Jobcentre Rejection to Chelsea
(11:47) 2 Months Transfer Process
(13:16) Dealing with Pressure Being as a Chelsea Goalkeeper
(14:31) The Nicest Person in Chelsea’s Dressing Room
(15:25) Did Chelsea’s Multinational Squad Drive Its Success?
(16:26) How Sophisticated Are Players About Business & Investing?
(18:24) How Did Things Change When Tuchel Replaced Lampard?
(23:09) Lampard’s Impact on Chelsea’s Success
(24:19) Champions League Final Journey
(28:36) Relationships with the Executives
(32:26) New Owners
(34:58) Seeking For New Opportunities
(37:25) Is Saudi Football About Money Over Career Progression?
(40:01) New Team & New Teammates
(41:09) Is There a Leadership Gap Between Saudi & European Clubs?
(41:52) Has Playing in Saudi Arabia Helped Build Your Off-Pitch Career?
(45:05) What Are the Biggest Financial Mistakes Players Make?
(46:48) How Does Marriage Shift as Wealth Increases?
(48:08) What Does Football Mean to Senegal and Africa?
(51:32) On Nicolas Jackson’s Progress
(54:00) Quick-Fire Round
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On today’s show we discuss:
1. Origins of a Champions League Winner:
How did Mendy get his break in France? What is it like to work your way from the bottom?
What happened when Édou decided to look at a career outside of football because he wasn’t making it in football?
You have to be careful who you put your trust in; when agents promise opportunities that don’t materialise.
The role family and humble beginnings have played in keeping him grounded as success has quickly come to him.
Signing for Reims and then Rennes which paved the way for his move to Chelsea.
2. The Chelsea Story:
From getting a call from goalkeeper coach Christophe Lollichon to eventually signing his contract; the Chelsea transfer story.
How long does it take for clubs to agree to a transfer? What did Marina Granovskaia say was unique about his move?
What role did Frank Lampard play in helping Édou establish himself as Chelsea’s number one keeper?
What happens when a manager changes at a club? From Lampard to Tuchel…
The inside story of Chelsea’s iconic Champions League win in Porto. Why Tuchel wanted to play on Chelsea’s underdog status.
From Champions of Europe and the World to the fringes of the squad; where did it go wrong?
3. Moving to Saudi Arabia and what comes next:
Why this move is not just about football and not just about money; what are the considerations that influence transfers?
‘It is important to feel wanted and I felt that from Al Ahli’. How a conversation with the CEO convinced Édou that this was the club for him.
What is most exciting about the emerging league and how is the country preparing for it’s World Cup hosting duties?
Playing in a dream team with Mahrez, Toney and Firmino and the star power of the Saudi League.
When an athlete becomes an investor; how Édou is building a profile for himself as an investor and what is the value of athletes bringing their expertise to emerging companies?
How establishing football in West Africa and Senegal in particular is and will always be a key part of his focus.
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Subscribe on Spotify:
[https://open.spotify.com/show/1lD0eIjmkyr92VggxZmDuF?si=c0a7e9846a83476](https://open.spotify.com/show/1lD0eIjmkyr92VggxZmDuF?si=c0a7e9846a834767)7
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21 Comments
From 600€ a week? You talk as 600€ is bullshit
Where I'm from 600€ a week is literally a mine of gold, you'll be literally getting paid more than a doctor and a lawyer and even a judge in the supreme court
600€ a week for a month is 2200€ it means 6600 Tunisian dinars or even more, that'll make you live like a king here in my country, you'll be able to buy a decent car in matter of 3 months of work, you'll rent a house in the richest neighborhood here with ease
You're just belittling the 600€
Stop
What a great humble young man,happy for him
Edou we will always love you 💙
Like rudiger said edu was really on some juju stuff that season😂😂
We will never forget you Edou 🙏🏽💙
Edu Wall mendy, thanks for UCL and CWC. All player was 2020-22 was crazy, sadly almost player injuries after that's
High IQ @eduardo Mendy.. I learnt allot from listening to You
❤❤
Once a blue, always a blue 💙 💙. You came to Chelsea at a special time bro, and you goal kept at a special time, and left whilst still high. In my view you are the African and Chelsea legend bro. We will watch you in Saudi too.
Can't believe i watched this😭❤
I want to see Roman himself here speaking if you could make that happen
Wow! Class from Edou! Bro is winning and such an eloquent person. He has a big heart and is very generous with open and clear communication. Big up for recognizing Frank Lampard's work to the build-up of the UCL winning side under TT.
On ai la bilai 🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳rekkkkkkkkk
I miss you Edou. After he left we didn't have a single capable goalkeeper. Whenever he was between the stick I feel confident. The two guy who interview Edward Mendy are really great. Always smiling.
💙💙💙 props Chels
🇸🇳💙
He is one of the Chelsea boys who can be remembered as a class player. Thank you Edu
Love u legend. fluent and spot on.
so £££££
Our Second Champions League wouldnt have been possible with you Edou, Always a Blue!
Miss Edou at Chelsea every day since he left. Thank you for winning UCL for us! Wish you were still at the club! Much love 💙💪🏼💯