The London giants are already planning to let some footballers leave in the summer window, with Kepa Arrizabalaga one of the prime candidates to depart. Spain international signing has failed to live up to expectations or his price tag, with Eduoard Mendy the No.1 choice for Chelsea.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper’s transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2018 raised many eyebrows. Chelsea replaced Courtois with the Spanish goalkeeper. They paid a world-record fee for a shot-stopper to add him, eclipsing the amount Liverpool shelled out on Alisson a few weeks earlier.
While the Spaniard started his time at Chelsea brightly, the Carabao Cup incident with then-coach Maurizio Sarri changed his momentum. Since then, the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper has been in dismal form, and it took two years for the Blues to find a suitable replacement.
Mendy’s arrival from Stade Rennais ended Arrizabalaga’s ill-fated reign as Chelsea’s number 1 choice in goal, with the Senegalese shot-stopper firmly establishing himself with assured displays. The African goalkeeper also helped Chelsea in a big way to win the UCL in his first campaign, which pointed towards Kepa’s departure in the summer.
Arrizabalaga also started the Blues’ semi-final clash in the Club World Cup and performed admirably, although the German coach might select Edouard Mendy for the finale with Palmeiras. Kepa might just play one more match this month, given Edouard Mendy’s standing within the club.
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