Chelsea supporters shared their sympathies towards Kepa Arrizbalaga after he was dropped for Spain’s latest international squad.
This was the first time since Kepa signed for Chelsea in 2018 that he’d been omitted from national duty, an indication of how far he’s fallen in such a short space of time.
Blues fans huddled together on social media in a sign of support for their crestfallen goalkeeper.
Being excluded by Luis Enrique ahead of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers later this month represents the tip of Kepa’s ice berg.
Going away with his compatriots often gave him a release from the struggles he endured at Stamford Bridge.
His role in South West London is now nothing more than an understudy to Edouard Mendy, a position made very clear to him by both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
The 26-year-old has only featured once in the Premier League since October and even that was simply a trial by Tuchel to get a good look at all of his squad.
Kepa will certainly be feeling this exclusion by Enrique more than ever, as it practically signals the end of his World Cup dreams in the summer.
He had been playing second fiddle to David De Gea prior to that, but was always an able debutante whenever called upon.
In fact, Spain have never lost a game when Chelsea’s ‘keeper has started for them.
Unfortunately, this unblemished record clearly wasn’t enough to save Kepa from further impoundment.
Instead, he will be forced to remain at Cobham whilst his teammates pack their suitcases.
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