Watch ex-Chelsea star Edouard Mendy’s horror howler on Al-Ahli debut as fans say ‘you can take him out of Europe, but…’
FANS trolled former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after a horrific howler on Al-Ahli debut.
Roberto Firmino spared his blushes as he made a blistering start for the club as a host of stars made their Saudi Pro League bows last night.
GettyEdouard Mendy was left red-faced on his Saudi Pro League debut[/caption]
Twitter / @SPLThe ex-Chelsea star gifted Al-Hazm a goal on his bow for Al-Ahli[/caption]
GettyThe Al-Hazm star then proceeded to chip the goalie and score[/caption]
The 31-year-old Liverpool legend left Anfield in June after his contract expired and was snapped up on a free transfer by Al-Ahli.
And he made an instant impact for his new side with a hat-trick in their 3-1 win over Al-Hazm.
The Brazilian international forward got off the mark by heading home at the back post.
His second came from a cross from fellow new boy Riyad Mahrez, who arrived in a £30m signing from Manchester City, after just ten minutes.
But Al-Hazm got back into it when Vina lobbed Mendy, who cost £17m from Chelsea, after an error from the goalie gifted the forward the ball after receiving a backpass.
But Firmino then bundled in a third after his initial header was saved to claim the matchball.
However, cruel supporters seemed more interested in trolling Mendy after his howler and quickly took to Twitter after footage of his embarrassing mishap went viral.
“The failure of Chelsea football club follows its players everywhere they go,” read one tweet.
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Another said: “You can take Mendy out Europe… But you can’t take errors out of Mendy.”
“Mendy doing what he does best,” claimed a fellow fan as another added: “Mendy is back at his usual form.”
The trio of Firmino, Mahrez and Mendy were also joined by fellow Al-Ahli debutants Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger signed for £40m from Newcastle, former Roma defender Roger Ibanez and ex-Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie.
Meanwhile Mendy, 31, was deemed surplus to requirements after losing his No1 spot to Kepa Arrizabalaga last season.
The Senegal international also refused to pen a new deal after demanding top wages during negotiations.
And Chelsea have now offloaded Mendy to Al-Ahli for around £17million, with the goalie becoming the third player to swap Stamford Bridge for Saudi this summer.
Kalidou Koulibaly called time on his Chelsea career after just one season by completing a move to Al-Hilal.
And N’Golo Kante made a free transfer move to Al-Ittihad, where he will play alongside Karim Benzema.
GettyRoberto Firmino spared the keeper’s blushes as he fired home a hat-trick[/caption]
Mendy’s exit brought down the curtain on a whirlwind three years in London.
He was a surprise £22m purchase from Rennes in 2020, having been playing in France’s second tier just two years earlier.
But Mendy showed no signs of fear as he played 44 times before ending his first season with Champions League glory.
He was subsequently named the competition’s Best Goalkeeper, and won the Best Fifa award for his position later that year.
Mendy featured 49 times in the 2021/22 campaign as Chelsea went on to win the Uefa SuperCup and Club World Cup.
But an injury last season saw him lose his place in the side to Kepa and Mendy was unable to get his spot back under Graham Potter.
And he played just 12 times, with his final appearance coming under Frank Lampard in May’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
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