Speaking about his troubles in playing at Chelsea without a winter break this season, Edouard Mendy told BBC: “This was the first season for me without a winter break, so it was a very tough time mentally and physically.
“This is another rhythm, I had to adapt. During the winter when subconsciously you are used to this winter break - a time of rest - but this time I didn't have it
“On the contrary, things even accelerate because you play every two days. It was really a tough time. Physically and mentally, doing that every two days with the intensity you can have in the Premier League and all that it requires to play a high-level match, is so hard.
“But here we are, I worked physically and also mentally. Those are good things because you even learn more about yourself, you stretch yourself. It helped me to return to something very positive.”
During his years in France – where he played for the likes of Marseille B, Reims and Rennes – Mendy got used to getting some relaxation period during their year winter breaks. However, there are no winter breaks for Premier League teams – something that turned out to be an obstacle for Mendy.
However, the Senegalese goalkeeper got past the hurdle in flying colours and maintained his brilliant work in between the goalkeeping 24 clean sheets in 41 appearances so far this season for the Blues.
