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Kalidou Koulibaly says it’s a ‘real shame’ Senegal and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy wasn’t among the candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
Chelsea were heavily represented as the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious prize was revealed last week, with Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta and Romelu Lukaku all in the running.
Mendy did not make the cut despite playing a key role in the Blues’ Champions League success last season following his £22million move from Rennes the previous summer.
Lev Yashin remains the only ’keeper to have won the Ballon d’Or after he triumphed way back in 1963 and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is the one shot-stopper in contention to succeed Lionel Messi ahead of next month’s ceremony in Paris.
‘It’s a real shame that Edou isn’t one of them. He is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League,’ Koulibaly said following Senegal’s 4-1 victory over Namibia in World Cup qualifying.
‘We must continue to work and move forward. We have to do the double [the work] of some people to be well judged.
‘Edou is a very positive person. We talked about it together. He will continue to fight to be part of it.
‘For me, he has a place among these 30 players.’
Speaking at Gazzetta dello Sport’s annual Festivo Dello Sport at the weekend, Thomas Tuchel played down the significance of individual awards in football.
However, the German argued Jorginho would be a deserving winner after his success at both club and international level with Chelsea and Italy.
‘He deserves it, he is one of those who deserve to win the Ballon d’Or,’ the Chelsea head coach said.
‘He is a very intelligent player and it’s a pleasure to be his coach. The list of 30…
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Source : metro
