Chelsea set to snub Kepa Arrizabalaga for Edouard Mendy in Club World Cup final
According to London News Online (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have decided to snub Kepa Arrizabalaga for Edouard Mendy in the Club World Cup final that will take place tomorrow. The English side is set to face off against Palmeiras as they look to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Thomas Tuchel is set to choose Mendy over Arrizabalaga tomorrow as they try to win yet another title under his reign. The first choice keeper has already joined the team following his successful campaign in the African Cup of Nations. He was present to watch the side beat Al Hilal 1-0 in the semi-final.
This update would be a damning blow for the Spaniard, who has been in excellent form of late and helped the Blues make it to the final. It remains to be seen if this piece of information happens to be true or not. Only time will tell what will be the outcome as the final draws closer.
Fair choice?
If this news turns out to be true, it may not be fair to the 27-year-old who led us to this stage in the first place. The second choice keeper had made a couple of match-winning saves in the semi-finals, and dropping him for the final could be a major blow to his morale.
Moreover, it is the former Athletic Bilbao man who is reserved to start in competitions other than the Premier League and the Champions League. He also earned a right to play in the final, looking at his performances during Mendy’s absence earlier this year.
At the same time, it is understandable why Tuchel has gone down this route. We have not won this competition even once and had lost in the final in our one previous appearance. It makes sense that Tuchel will want his best players available to ensure his side comes out on top.
More Chelsea News
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So if the boss decides to start the 29-year-old, we cannot hold it against him either. We can all agree that Mendy is our best option, and playing him would mean that we are not taking the competition lightly. Both sides of the coin have their own fair argument to make, so it will be interesting to see the outcome when the team sheet is released. Whatever the case it may be, we are hopeful that the decision will prove to be the right one.