Kepa Arrizabalaga in action for Chelsea. (GETTY Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea new manager Thomas Tuchel has promised out-of-favour goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a fresh start to life at Stamford Bridge.
The German has also indicated that the Spaniard could still have a long-term future in West London despite evoking widespread criticism in the recent past for his blunders between the sticks.
The 26-year-old has started only six times for the Blues in all competitions so far this season, with three of them coming in the Premier League.
Kepa is yet to see any game time under Tuchel after making a costly error in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Luton Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup, which also happened to be Frank Lampard’s last game in charge.
While Kepa has been written off by several critics, Tuchel still preserves hopes of coaxing the best out of the goalkeeper, starting from Thursday’s FA Cup tie against Barnsley.
The Spaniard is expected to replace undisputed No.1 Edouard Mendy in goal at Oakwell. Tuchel expects him (h/t Daily Mail) to put in a solid shift to guide his side to a clean sheet.
“I absolutely believe he can turn it around. This an opportunity and hopefully he does not want to overachieve. I want him to play a normal match. He does not have to show he is ready to be Spain’s No.1 in the summer.
“He has just to show his quality. Not more and not less. I don’t expect him to score and play with a clean sheet. I just expect he helps us with a solid performance.”
Kepa enjoyed a promising debut season at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri. The Spanish international managed 23 clean sheets in all competitions for Chelsea in 2018-19 but suffered a significant dip in form last term.
The 26-year-old’s high-profile errors cost the Blues several crucial points before Edouard Mendy was roped in from Rennes to replace him as the No.1.
The Senegalese international has established himself as the first-choice between the sticks this season, impressing with 14 clean sheets in all competitions.
However, Kepa still remains the designated understudy to take his position for the cup ties. The trip to Oakwell will be a golden opportunity to make a big first impression on Tuchel.
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