Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has claimed that Liverpool have made a transfer mistake by selling Sadio Mane this summer.
In quotes published by The Mirror, Mendy says that Mane’s move to Bayern Munich will be a ‘big loss’ to Liverpool next season.
“I think it is a big loss for the Premier League in terms of quality and in terms of the person,” said the ‘keeper, who plays with Mane for Senegal.
“We’ve lost someone great and I hope for him he will enjoy the Bundesliga. He’s also a big loss [to Liverpool] because of his quality, the impact he makes and also because, for the young players, he’s an example. When you lose someone like this it can have a huge impact.
Thanks for your concern Edouard, but you don’t need to worry about us!
Moving on from Mane
It’s stating the obvious to say that Mane is a big loss to Liverpool. He was a super player over a long period and played a big part in the club’s recent success.
But that doesn’t mean that Liverpool can’t thrive and even improve without him. It’s a well-worn cliché but no player is bigger than the club. Liverpool have recovered from the loss of players better than Sadio Mane before.
They arguably have several players better than him already in the squad, too. In Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota they have two players who have five years on the Senegal international and could reach, or surpass his level.
In actuality, Liverpool looked ready for a change as much as Mane did. They would reportedly have kept him if he’d wanted to stay, but his desire to go could be a blessing in disguise.
Chelsea scrambling in the window
As for what the £22m Mendy should actually be worrying himself with – goings on at Chelsea – they are muddling through the window.
Raheem Sterling is a headline signing but arguably one that doesn’t improve them. The 27-year-old is only the third player to play for Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, but perhaps he has his best years behind him.
Another interesting looking addition who could be over the hill is Kalidou Koulibaly. Two or three years ago, he was almost on-par with Virgil Van Dijk as the best defender in the world. But time has caught up with him a little and it remains to be seen how he adapts to the Premier Legaue.
One or two may still be on the way for Chelsea, but they largely look to be replacing what they’ve lost.
Thankfully for Liverpool, they were ahead of the game on replacing Mane. Diaz was brought in and given a six month head-start. Mane is a loss, but the Colombian’s quality is surely going to fill that hole.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
