Kepa Arrizabalaga set for crunch talks with Thomas Tuchel regarding Chelsea future
Chelsea have a decision to make this summer, and that’s to make a call on the future of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard, despite his much-improved displays under Thomas Tuchel, remains second-choice behind Edouard Mendy and is set for discussions on his future with the Chelsea boss.
It’s only natural for Kepa to expect regular football. Having arrived in the summer of 2018 to replace the outgoing Thibaut Courtois, it’s been a rollercoaster ride for the £71.6m goalkeeper.
Kepa was instrumental in Chelsea’s Europa League success in his very first season, but a few high-profile blunders under former boss Frank Lampard saw him relegated to being the second choice.
Chelsea’s acquisition of Edouard Mendy in 2020 coupled with the Senegal international’s incredible displays meant that Kepa was firmly behind him in the pecking order. Although when called upon, the Spaniard played more than his part and was pivotal to the club’s Super Cup and Club World Cup triumphs.
Given his redemption arc, Kepa has made a very strong case for himself to be considered regularly but Mendy’s status as first-choice remains undisputable for the time being, meaning that Kepa’s chances of being numero uno are most likely to be found elsewhere. Speaking to Marca (h/t football.london), Kepa said,
“I have enthusiasm, ambition, desire to start, to enjoy and, above all, to play more. To be more matches on the field of play. In the end, the one who decides is the coach.
“Right now, I am a Chelsea player, but what I am clear about is that I want to play more because I come from a year or two where, when I have played, I have had a great performance.”
Should Chelsea hold onto Kepa?
Kepa is an incredible goalkeeper to have as a second-choice and that’s where the problem is. He is too good to be on the bench, some would even say too costly.
Kepa also mentioned that he is not desperate for a move yet, but one can totally understand if he feels that way following discussions with Thomas Tuchel in the not-so-distant future.
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Whatever the outcome of that conversation may be, Kepa has been a thorough professional to the club despite falling down in the priority index and his resurgence is a great testament to his mental fortitude.
While Mendy remains first-choice, Kepa will have very little of a platform to showcase his form and convince Spain national team boss Luis Enrique that he should be included in La Furia Roja World Cup squad later this year. Should he decide to leave, it’s completely understandable.
