Olivier Giroud ‘happy’ for Chelsea teammate Kepa Arrizabalaga
According to the Metro, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has claimed he is happy for teammate Kepa Arrizabalaga following his display against Newcastle United.
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper had become a marginalised figure under former manager Frank Lampard. However, things seem to be taking a turn for the better for the Spaniard under the newly-appointed Thomas Tuchel.
Having managed to keep a clean sheet in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Barnsley, Kepa was handed his first Premier League start since October against Newcastle United.
After a bit of a nervy start, the former Athletic Bilbao man settled in well and made a few good stops to deny the likes of Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey and preserve a clean sheet.
And, speaking after the game, Giroud insisted that he was happy to see Kepa get some game-time and perform well.
“I’m happy for him. He’s stayed focused on his job and committed to what he has to do. Every day at training he is working hard to be ready when the manager will ask him to play and he played very well I think, like the team.”
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Despite Kepa starting the last two games, Tuchel insisted that Mendy remains the first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea. Nevertheless, it is good to see the Spaniard get some minutes and the clean sheets will have certainly boosted his confidence a great deal.
Kepa joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018. He has endured a turbulent spell so far at the club. Hopefully, the last two games are signs of a change for the Spanish international.