The world’s most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga “could end up reviving his Chelsea career” under the new regime.
That is according to Simon Phillips, who believes that the appointment of Potter was exactly what the Spanish ‘keeper needed after finding himself as the firm second-choice option behind Edouard Mendy under ex-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.
What’s the word?
The journalist understands that incumbent manager Graham Potter wants his goalkeepers to compete with each other and fight it out for the number one spot, with Phillips feeling as though this could be a turning point in Kepa’s career at Stamford Bridge if he can replicate the performances that he has presented to Potter as an early offering.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said of the Chelsea boss: “He wants them to challenge each other and Kepa certainly could end up reviving his Chelsea career, as a result, if he continues to play well.”
Potter masterclass
With Potter having come into Stamford Bridge and seemingly given every member of the squad a clean slate, we could well see a number of Chelsea outcasts reviving their careers this season.
The most notable revival may well be that of Kepa, who set the club back £71.6m in the summer of 2018 but has found himself the target of strong criticism following a series of errors in 2020.
Courtesy of an injury to Mendy in recent weeks, the 28-year-old has started every game for Potter and has kept three clean sheets in the new manager’s five-match reign thus far.
The Senegal stopper has not had a look-in since recovering from injury, courtesy of the Spaniard’s performances between the sticks, which bodes well after barely featuring for two seasons.
If Potter is looking for a goalkeeper who is more proactive in coming off his line and is more comfortable with the ball at his feet, then without question he will fancy Kepa.
The Spaniard averages 1.3 defensive actions outside the penalty area per game, whereas Mendy is more conservative, with an average of just 0.58 per match for this metric.
The arrival of Potter and concurrent injury to Mendy could prove to be sliding-doors moment for Kepa’s eventful career at Stamford Bridge.
