Joe Cole ‘surprised’ that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel dropped Edouard Mendy for Kepa against Zenit after recent errors – but Blues icon and Peter Crouch both admit the Spaniard played well in Champions League draw
- Edouard Mendy made several mistakes as Chelsea lost 3-2 against West Ham
- And Blues boss Thomas Tuchel dropped Mendy for their Champions League tie
- Backup Kepa Arrizabalaga came in for the usually reliable Senegalese ‘keeper
- Joe Cole and Peter Crouch registered their surprise at the German’s decision
- Chelsea were pegged back to 3-3 away at Zenit St Petersburg in stoppage time
- But the £71.6million signing Kepa played well and made several crucial saves
Joe Cole has admitted his surprise that Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel dropped Edouard Mendy to the bench for their Champions League tie against Zenit St Petersburg.
Chelsea conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in Russia, Zenit salvaging a 3-3 draw via Magomed Ozdoyev’s goal on Tuesday, meaning the visitors dropped from first to second in Champions League Group H, potentially giving them a harder last-16 tie.
Mendy made several mistakes in the Blues’ 3-2 loss against West Ham in the Premier League, but has been generally solid and Cole expressed his shock that backup Kepa was preferred – although he praised the Spaniard’s showing after the game.
Joe Cole has expressed surprise goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (left) was dropped by manager Thomas Tuchel (right) for Chelsea’s Champions League match against Zenit St Petersburg
The German made the decision after Mendy made several mistakes in a 3-2 loss v West Ham
He said before the match: ‘I’m surprised. It’s the first time Mendy’s made mistakes at the weekend. When you have a bad game, you want to have the next game to get it out of your system.
‘But Mendy will miss games when he’s at the African Cup of Nations, so Kepa needs game time too. It’s an interesting one, he’s had to balance it up.
‘There’s no doubt Kepa’s a top goalkeeper – there’s talent there. Since he’s been second choice, when he’s come in he’s been fantastic.’
But Cole and Peter Crouch praised Mendy’s backup Kepa after the game for his performance
The German saw understudy Kepa play well as Chelsea conceded a late equaliser to draw 3-3
And fellow pundit Peter Crouch added: ‘Tuchel’s made a gamble with his team selection. He’s obviously putting more emphasis on the game against Leeds at the weekend with that team.’
However, despite co-commentator Glenn Hoddle stating Kepa may be ‘disappointed’ he didn’t reach Magomed Ozdoyev’s late equaliser, the Spaniard made several key saves in the match and post-game, Cole and Crouch praised his performance.
Cole added: ‘Kepa was outstanding in goal. Chelsea were unlucky not to win,’ while Crouch continued: ‘I thought Zenit carved out a lot of chances and Kepa kept them in it at times.’