Thomas Tuchel is pleased that Kepa Arrizabalaga is still at Chelsea
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is pleased that Kepa Arrizabalaga has stayed at the club after the transfer window as a deal with Serie A club Napoli failed to materialise. The German was hoping for the Spaniard to remain in London.
Kepa arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for big money. The 27-year-old was a regular in between the sticks for the Blues. However, the Spaniard was ousted by Edouard Mendy in the 2020/21 season for the number one spot.
Luciano Spalletti’s side were linked with a move for Kepa during the transfer window. However, nothing happened in the end. Speaking via transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Tuchel is happy about it. Even though the Spaniard is not the first name on the German’s team sheet, the gaffer was keen on keeping him at the club.
After a decent debut season with Chelsea, Kepa was criticised by fans in his second campaign with the Blues. Supporters were not pleased with the shot-stopper’s performances in between the sticks.
Subsequently, the Blues signed Mendy from Stade Rennais. The Senegalese had an immediate impact in the side with his displays. The 30-year-old’s goalkeeping abilities have garnered praise from a lot of people.
Marcus Bettinelli is the other option at Tuchel’s disposal in goal. The 30-year-old is seemingly the third choice at the Stamford Bridge side.
For now, Kepa stays. The 27-year-old has been given a few opportunities over the years in domestic cup competitions. In the PL, the Spaniard started just four games in the 2021/22 season.
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However, Mendy has faltered a bit at the start of the new season. And fans are calling for the Senegalese to be benched. Having an experienced goalkeeper like Kepa on the bench during such times is wise.