Kepa is ready to step up for Chelsea in the first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s absence due to the forthcoming AFCON set to be held in January.
Mendy has been a solid presence between the sticks for the Blues since his move to the club in the summer of 2020 from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes and he has relegated Kepa to second fiddle in the pecking order.
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However, with the African Cup of Nations just around the corner, Chelsea will be in line to lose the Senegal international Mendy to the national team fold meaning there would be greater first-team action for Kepa.
The Spanish shot-stopper will be the one manning the goalposts for Thomas Tuchel’s men in Mendy’s absence and the former Bilbao man has said he is ready to grab the opportunity and give his best for the team.
In an interview with The Athletic, Kepa has voiced his belief in stepping up the performance levels at Stamford Bridge when Mendy will partake in the AFCON and Tuchel will rely on the former to become a pivotal figure in goal for Chelsea.
“Well, it is two months away. Of course, we know it can happen and I will be ready but we have a lot of games until we start thinking about that.
“Let’s go step by step and we’ll see what happens. If he goes to the African Cup, all the best and I’ll be ready. But it’s still a long way to arrive at that point.”
