Chelsea to make late decision on goalkeeper choice ahead of FIFA Club World Cup semi-final with Kepa and Mendy both in the running
Speaking ahead of the Blues’ semi-final fixture against Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup (h/t football.london), Chelsea assistant coach Zsolt Low confirmed that the club would make a late decision to ascertain which of their goalkeepers would take to the field.
The Blues have two fine shot-stoppers in Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, with Mendy the preferred number 1 used by manager Thomas Tuchel in the Premier League. Kepa acts as the deputy, taking his place between the posts in cup competitions.
Mendy may be a doubt to play the Club World Cup semi-final in Abu Dhabi, as the keeper is only returning from his native Senegal after helping the national side win the Africa Cup of Nations in a penalty shootout. The player made a crucial save in the shootout to win his country the trophy.
“Mendy will arrive probably later today or tomorrow and we’ll see how tired he is. “He has to arrive first, we have to check him and talk to him. We’ll see if it’s possible he plays, maybe.”
Kepa, meanwhile, was a Chelsea hero recently as he saved a penalty in the dying minutes of extra time in the fourth round of the FA Cup, as the Blues laboured to a 2-1 win over League One side Plymouth Argyle. The win saw them progress to the next round of the competition, as Tuchel and Co. eye an FA Cup trophy at the end of the season.
Keeper choice undecided
Chelsea certainly have a dilemma on their hands, having to choose between two excellent keepers in the squad for guarding the net in the FIFA Club World Cup. It is not an easy decision to make either, with the wrong choice in goal leading the Blues to be knocked out of the tournament and denied a chance at winning some silverware early this term.
Low admitted that they were still undecided on who would be given the responsibility in tonight’s fixture, saying that they would discuss with the goalkeeping coaches before making a decision.
“We have two amazing goalkeepers. Mendy had a fantastic performance to win the Africa Cup of Nations and be the best goalkeeper, but Kepa does an amazing job with us here. In the last game, he saved an important penalty and is in good shape. We’ll have talks with the goalkeeping coaches before deciding.”
Chelsea have a plethora of riches at the back, with two of the finest goalkeepers in the world making up their squad. While the Blues brought Kepa to Stamford Bridge after a record transfer fee, Mendy came in quietly a few years later, without any hype.
Kepa suffered a loss of form under then-manager Frank Lampard, which saw him lose his number 1 spot to Mendy. Currently, the Senegal international is the first choice for Tuchel, which has seen Kepa hardly make any appearances in the league this season.
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However, Kepa’s abilities cannot be doubted, as the Spaniard is quite talented when it comes to penalty shootouts. This season itself, the keeper has seen us through multiple shootout victories in the Carabao Cup. Kepa is a big reason why the Blues have reached the final of the League Cup this term, giving us a chance to win some silverware.
With regard to the dilemma as to who should take the place between the sticks for tonight’s game, perhaps it would be smart to stick with Kepa in goal. After all, the Spanish international has performed well for Chelsea in Mendy’s absence, and he should be rewarded for his recent performances with a run-out tonight. Moreover, Mendy could use a breather after an intense campaign with his national team.