Graham Potter has suggested Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga may not play in the club’s next three games.
Kepa, 28, is currently nursing a foot injury.
The Spanish goalkeeper was forced off last weekend in the Brighton defeat with a foot problem. He was missing from the match day squad in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb, too.
There’s now three games left for Chelsea before the winter break takes place to make room for the World Cup. Chelsea face Arsenal and Newcastle United in the Premier League, as well as Manchester City in the Carabao Cup third round.
Kepa may not play next three games
Chelsea’s head coach claimed in his pre-match press conference today, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, that Kepa may not feature in the upcoming fixtures.
When asked if Kepa will play before the World Cup, Potter responded: “Kepa, no. It’s his plantar fascia, which is the bottom of his foot. No, I don’t think he will play before the World Cup.”
It’s obvious a big personal blow for Kepa to be forced out with injury because he had just retained the starting position.
He was playing some excellent football in-between the sticks before his injury setback, with Potter favouring him during the last month as the number one keeper.
However, Chelsea should still feel comfortable with quality operator Edouard Mendy returning to the XI to navigate these next three tough fixtures.
Mendy has reportedly rejected a new contract from Chelsea recently, but let’s hope behind the scenes talks doesn’t distract him on the pitch.
The Senegal international returned to the side against Zagreb to get some match sharpness, which is going to be vital heading into the next three games.
You would suspect he’ll have his work cut out to keep clean sheets against Arsenal, Man City and Newcastle.
There’s no doubting he’s got the quality, though.
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