Chelsea ‘are ready to cash in on Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer’ despite the £72m keeper’s improved displays while deputising for Edouard Mendy… with the Blues ‘expecting bids for the Spaniard at the end of the season’
- Chelsea’s £72m goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could be sold this summer
- The Blues are ready to let him leave with bids expected, according to reports
- Kepa, the most expensive keeper in the world, has impressed in recent weeks
- But boss Thomas Tuchel has no plans for him to replace No 1 Edouard Mendy
Chelsea are prepared to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga – who cost them £72million in 2018 – this summer, with bids expected for the Spaniard, reports claim.
Kepa, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world after arriving for the eye-watering sum from Athletic Bilbao, has struggled to justify the sum during his time at Stamford Bridge and the club opted to bring in Edouard Mendy from Rennes last season, with the Senegal international immediately becoming No 1.
Now 27, Kepa has been deputising for Mendy during his time at the Africa Cup of Nations – which the goalkeeper won – and he is now expected to return and take back the first choice jersey again, relegating Kepa to the bench.
Chelsea are willing to sell £72million goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer, reports claim
The Spaniard (L) has been deputising for Edouard Mendy (R) this month but the Senegal star is expected to take back the No 1 jersey
Although Kepa has impressed in goal while Mendy has been away, manager Thomas Tuchel is not planning to keep him in his starting line-up – and the club are now ready to cash in on him this summer, as reported by the Evening Standard.
The player himself will be looking to get regular minutes ahead of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, the report adds, with Kepa eager to challenge for Spain’s No 1 shirt.
Kepa played in Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final against Al-Hilal this week, which the Blues won 1-0, but Sportsmail reported that Tuchel is seriously considering bringing in Mendy for the final against Palmeiras on Saturday.
With Mendy one of the best performing goalkeepers at AFCON and on a high after winning the competition, there is a feeling it would be ‘punishing’ him to leave him out and deprive him of being involved in another final, the Mirror says.
Kepa has impressed in his absence and made a string of stunning saves in the Club World Cup semi-final against Al Hilal
The club have been pleased with his attitude in training after working with goalkeeping coaches Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario
Kepa made a handful of outstanding saves against Al-Hilal and the club have been impressed with his attitude after working hard with goalkeeping coaches Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario.
But Chelsea will still be tempted to recoup some of the huge funds they splashed out on Kepa four years ago if there is interest this summer.
Kepa still has a chance of being involved in the final, even if he is dropped for Mendy. In the UEFA Super Cup final against Villarreal, Tuchel subbed him off for Kepa for the purpose of the penalty shootout.
It paid off as Chelsea won it 6-5, with Kepa the hero by making two saves.
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