Chelse coach, Frank Lampard is still counting on Kepa Arrizabalaga in spite of horrid displays in recent weeks. The coach considers that the Spanish keeper still has a future at the Stamford Bridge.
As per Sportstar, Lampard said: “I certainly won’t go to the point of saying he’s played his last game for Chelsea.”
The 25 years old keeper is facing the most difficult period of his career and is fighting to save his Chelsea career. He was dropped from the starting XI in the game against West Brom and Willy Caballero. who is 39 years old took his place.
Also, the imminent arrival of Senegalese keeper, Edouard Mendy with a £20 million fee from Rennes has made life more difficult for Kepa.
Today’s Carabao Cup match against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur will likely see Edouard Mendy making his debut for the west London club. On the other hand, rumors say that Kepa is being made prepared to send out on a loan this season.
This might not be good for Kepa as he joined from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world following his £71.4m move.
The previous season was horrible for Kepa and might be the worst season of his entire career. He hasn’t started off well this season too. His series of high-profile mistakes have cost the game for Chelsea.
He was responsible for conceding the only goal from Brighton whereas Kepa’s misplaced pass made Chelsea concede a goal against Liverpool. He is so low in confidence that he is even falling to do the basics of keeping.
The Blues manager said,”I think it has been a difficult time for Kepa. That’s been well documented. I know it, he knows it, but we certainly shouldn’t jump to that conclusion.
“Also, something which I felt quite strongly about in the last week, is to understand that Kepa is a young man and an awful lot of the highlight or spotlight on him has become slightly unfair.
“I have to protect him because I know he is a good lad and playing with absolute professionalism and intent to do the best he can, as all the squad have done. That’s all I want to say about him now.”
Chelsea is expected to make a number of changes from the team that played against West Brom in the Premier League against Tottenham. It will be an interesting match and eyes will be on Lampard to see what changes he makes to progress to the next round of Carabao Cup.
