Chelsea could've got Donnarumma, but stuck by ace, who 'should be on Ballon d'Or list'

And the Chelsea goalkeeper put forward perhaps his best case for him being included on that prestigious list to date with an outstanding display between the sticks during Chelsea's 1-0 win at Brentford.

Mendy denied the Bees on SIX occasions, including an incredible stop to deny Christian Norgaard's acrobatic effort in stoppage-time.

"Someone explain why he's not nominated for the Ballon d'Or," Chelsea teammate Antonio Rudiger wrote on Twitter after the match. "What a performance… EDOUARD MENDY."

Meanwhile, when asked if his goalkeeper merited inclusion, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel replied: "Yes. But, you know, I'm happy. And it's more important that he performs like this as he did today than that he's on any list.

"I hope it does not bother him, because it does not bother me too much. He's not too influenced by that.

"Today we relied on him heavily again today, he's the guy who performs so well for us and that we're so happy for. So everything is good."

Mendy is even getting plaudits from rivals - Liverpool star Sadio Mane, who admittedly plays alongside him at Senegal, is in a state of disbelief that the 29-year-old isn't a nominee.

"It's unacceptable, I don't understand," declared Sadio Mane in an interview with Onze Mondial, per Marca.

"Edou is a very positive person, we talked about it together and he will continue to fight to be part of it. For me, he has a place among these 30 players."

The fact Mendy is even being talked about in the Ballon d'Or conversation is incredible given he was without a club seven years ago and considering quitting football.

Gianluigi Donnarrumma is the only keeper to make the 30-man list for the top individual accolade in football. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano points out how Chelsea had the option to sign the Italian on a free transfer in the summer.

But the decision to stick by Mendy has proved to be spot on.