Mendy: Tuchel has built family bond among Chelsea players

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has lauded manager Thomas Tuchel for building family spirit among the players.

The Stamford Bridge outfit conquered Europe after Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January by winning the Uefa Champions League and Uefa Super Cup.

Mendy has credited their collective spirit for the recent success and he praised their German coach for his leadership role.

"He is a real leader," the Senegal goalkeeper told the club's website. "The idea of a group is something that the coach has directly established.

"It is something that got stronger with good results. We saw that when we gave great performances. Every time we gave great performances, they were great collective performances.

"So, that shows you that we have only succeeded as a team, and that forges closer bonds between us. On the pitch, we play for our brothers because we are a family, and we do things as a family."

Last Saturday, Mendy helped Chelsea start the new Premier League season with a clean sheet in their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

His contribution stretched his record to 26 clean sheets after 46 matches in Chelsea shirt and he is determined to be the best in Tuchel’s side.

"It’s been a fantastic year. Now, we need to keep going. We need to question everything; we need to start from scratch,” he continued.

"What we did was good, but we need to leave that to one side and keep setting other goals, keep progressing, and keep striving to make this club better.

"For me the most important thing is to be the best for my team. Being the best for my club means being the best every day and being the best I can on the pitch, helping my team to win trophies.

"I’ve progressed every year, and I did last year too, and that’s something I want to do every year; it’s something I want all the time.

"I strive to progress, to be the best for my team, and in particular, to keep winning trophies for this club."