Wesley Fofana has jumped the gun in all but confirming a Chelsea transfer this summer before it is officially announced. During a period of near-daily exits from the Stamford Bridge, the Frenchman has has been a bit hasty to send his goodbyes.
Having only played one game with each other throughout the season, the pair seem to have built up a good relationship off the field regardless. As two French speakers and goal defenders, their lack of game time together is evidence of the individual and team struggles throughout.
After Fofana signed for the club, Mendy found himself injured for most of the rest of the season and also out of form. Their only appearance came in Thomas Tuchel's final game, back in September 2022. Since then their injury issues between them meant that overlapping setbacks saw very little link-up.
Mendy is now set to leave the club he joined in 2020 for just £20million ($25.4m) after failing to negotiate new terms on his contract. With Kepa Arrizabalaga's return to form he is now seen as the number one choice as Mauricio Pochettino plots the arrival of another contender for the gloves at SW6.
Even with two years left to run, Mendy is set to join Al-Ahli for around £17million ($21million) and will be part of a quartet of Chelsea stars heading to the Saudi Pro League. Alongside N'Golo Kante on a free transfer, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly, Mendy is one of the many exits from the club this summer as a rebuild is planned under Mauricio Pochettino.
Unlike for Kante, Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic - who was confirmed as having joined Manchester City - Mendy is yet to be announced in a move to Saudi Arabia but is well on his way with Fabrizio Romano writing that a secret medical was completed in London on Monday ahead of the move.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Man Utd 'agree' offer, Mason Mount twist, Bayern Munich swoop
He has also been seen in the country and with a green scarf around his neck before an announcement comes. For Fofana, he has blinked first and wrote on Instagram: "[Translated] My big brother I will miss you, all the best to you and your family."
He reposted Mendy's own upload from the end of 2022 in which he was celebrating a personal achievement having won the Club World Cup and African Cup of Nations.
He now looks set for a new chapter to his career and will be tough to replace after being one of the best value for money signings that the club have made in recent years.
