Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has revealed the secret behind Chelsea’s sound defensive record under new Manager Thomas Tuchel.

“We have good results at the moment with him. He has his philosophy. He knows what he wants for the team and it’s a good start for him and for the team right now.

“I don’t know if it’s a secret, but with him the 11 players have to defend together to be stronger as a team. At the moment it’s working, but we have to keep going and continue to work. It’s a good thing to have a good defence,” he told Chelsea website.

Chelsea have kept nine clean sheets in the 13 Premier League games since Tuchel’s arrival in January.

The Senegalese keeper said this ahead of the weekend’s Premier League game against West Ham United.

He said the game at London Stadium is crucial to Chelsea’s top-four ambition.

“It’s a massive game. Firstly, it’s a derby, and secondly they are just behind us in the table. It’s a big game for the top four and we are ready to fight,” Mendy told Chelsea website.

“It’s not the biggest game of the season because all the games are important, but it’s a big game for us and for them. We need to play our best football to get the three points. We are ready; we know this opponent, and we will do everything to get the three points.

“It will be a great thing if we can finish in the top four. When you play for Chelsea, you want to play all season for the top four.”

Chelsea and West Ham are level on 55 points in the Premier League table.

However, the Blues are ahead on goal-difference.

Chelsea occupy fourth place which is the last Champions League qualification spot.