Morecambe goalkeeper Mark Halstead opened up about an interesting conversation he had with Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga after 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last Sunday.
The Blues cruised to victory in the FA Cup third-round tie, thanks to goals from Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz.
Chelsea were always expected to win. But the win was also an important confidence boost, particularly for several players who have been struggling in form recently.
Frank Lampard was also able to play some of those who had not played regularly, including Arrizabalaga who made his second Chelsea appearances since October.
After the game, Morecambe goalkeeper was seen having a little chat with the Spain international after the full-time whistle. It was a rather unusual conversation.
“Just how handsome he was, really,” Halstead told Morecambe’s official website about what he told Arrizabalaga at the end of the match.
“Very beautiful man.
“He was very complimentary and seemed like a nice genuine lad. He said, ‘Well done, all the best.’
“He [also] said, ‘You’re a beautiful man too’, and then we moved on.”
An odd, but wholesome conversation between two goalkeepers.
Halstead also had his say about the game, saying Morecambe players should be proud with their performance against a very strong Chelsea team.
“For the most part, I think we did alright. We did ourselves proud, nothing to be ashamed of there,” he added.
“Their line-up was full of world-class players.”