Ruben Loftus-Cheek has lavished huge praise on Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for his superb displays for the London side this campaign.
The Senegal international has formed a vital part of a Chelsea rearguard which has conceded just four goals in 11 Premier League matches this season.
The Blues currently sit top of the league table on 26 points, with Manchester City and West Ham United both three points behind them.
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Mendy’s six clean sheets in 10 matches, as well as a number of top saves, have been key for the west London side, and Loftus-Cheek believes the keeper is exactly what a team with title aspirations needs.
‘We have a lot of players in the team who bring different qualities but Mendy has been fantastic in goal,’ he told Chelsea’s website, when asked who the club’s stand out player has been this campaign.
‘He’s been a constant from the start of the season and some of the saves he’s made have kept us in winning situations.
‘That’s what you need if you’re trying to win a title, to have someone like that behind you who can always save you after a mistake. ‘He can get you out of trouble and he’s been fantastic.’
Chelsea academy graduate Loftus-Cheek himself is also enjoying a more regular role under Tuchel after suffering a number of of injury setbacks in his career.
‘I’ve always believed that I could make it but there have just been a lot of setbacks along the way,’ he added. ‘Despite that, I’ve always believed that I could play for Chelsea regularly.
‘For me, it’s just about staying injury-free and I’ve been that for over a year now for the first time in my career. There’s something I can take from that and I’m really happy with myself.
‘The extra work that I’m doing is keeping me on the pitch and available to play, which is the most important thing. On top of that, I have to do the work and play well on the pitch, which always feels natural for me anyway. When I’m feeling good, I generally perform well.’
