Napoli have kept an eye on Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
According to Italian publication Il Messaggero (Subscription Required) [h/t The Metro], Maurizio Sarri has already called Chelsea to ascertain the possibility of luring Kepa Arrizabalaga to Lazio in January.
The Blues forked out a then club-record fee of £71.5million in 2018 to sign the 27-year-old from Athletic Bilbao. A relatively unknown prospect at the time, Kepa formed part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League before securing a 4th-place finish under Frank Lampard in the following season.
However, Lampard brought Edouard Mendy through the door last summer after an unconvincing 2019/20 season from the Spaniard. The Senegalese has dominated the game-time last season and continues to do so this term.
Thus, Italian manager Maurizio Sarri, who brought Kepa to Stamford Bridge after Real Madrid signed Thibaut Courtois, is now hoping to lure the Spanish international to Lazio. The Italian currently possesses ex-Liverpool ace Pepe Reina as his No 1 but is apparently looking to strengthen in January. He has already called Chelsea to enquire about the possibility of arranging a move.
Since Mendy joined the London club, the Spaniard has looked far more comfortable. He does not have a lot of pressure to deal with and excels in the cup competitions, especially when they go to penalty shoot-outs.
The former Bilbao goalkeeper secured the UEFA Super Cup after his heroics against Villarreal in the shoot-out while he has also come through for us in the third and fourth round of the EFL Cup this season. Moreover, he has a contract until 2025, and Lazio would know that.
However, if they do manage to propose a reasonable offer, the Blues would be wise to let him go. For all his confidence this season, Kepa always appears to have a mistake in him and is a risky option to have in the XI. The player’s ambitions must also be taken into consideration as the World Cup is less than a year away and regular gametime is the name of the game if a footballer wants to make his national team’s final squad.
Thus, if he has no future as a starter at the club, it does not make sense to keep him. He would also be a name struck off our wage list.
Regardless, a January move would be unadvised for us since we could be competing in nearly five competitions by February, and his services might be needed towards the business end of the season. If Mendy gets injured, there really is no other option apart from Kepa. And with AFCON lined up for January, the Spaniard’s services would be required for us.
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