Chelsea keep fifth clean sheet in a row – their best record since 2010 as Lampard fixes defensive woes

CHELSEA kept their fifth consecutive clean sheet for the first time since 2010.

The Blues thumped Rennes 3-0 in the Champions League last night meaning they have not conceded since drawing 3-3 against Southampton three weeks ago.

That day calamity keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was between the posts, but summer signing Edouard Mendy – bought from Rennes – has turned around Chelsea's fortunes.

So too has Thiago Silva, who arrived on a free transfer from PSG, with the Brazilian helping shape Lampard's backline.

Mendy has kept six out of seven clean sheets so far, with only Erik Lamela's league cup goal on his debut getting past the Senegal international.

He became the first Chelsea keeper since Petr Cech in 2004 to not concede in his opening three Premier League matches.

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The Blues five successive clean sheets is their best record since September-October 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti.

Current technical and performance advisor Cech and manager Lampard both featured in that season ten years ago.

Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira, Alex, and Jose Bosingwa also made up a rotating defence.

Cech – who has been named as an emergency player this season – helped recruit Mendy during the window.

And boss Lampard praised his 'low maintenance' personality, a stark contrast to blundering Kepa.

He said: “I think what he’s shown so far has been very complete.

"Those clean sheets have shown big parts of his game.

"He’s made saves in moments in games that have certainly helped us, where if the goal had gone in the games could have gone another way.

“He’s very low maintenance, he works hard, wants to work more, and he’s eager to engage with team-mates and myself — he has a smile on his face and has played well.”

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