Thomas Tuchel insisted that Edouard Mendy was still the first-choice goalkeeper for Chelsea, despite saying Kepa Arrizabalaga will start the FA Cup final.
Tuchel confirmed in his press conference, which was broadcast on the club’s official Youtube channel, that Kepa was to feature in Saturday’s show piece event against Leicester City.
However, he also made it very clear that Mendy’s position as no.1 had not been diverted.
“Nothing has changed,” said the Blues boss when asked if Kepa was pushing to be the priority ‘keeper.
“Edu (Mendy) was no.1 when I came in. There was no need to change. Kepa is a fantastic guy and Edu is as well.
“Both do their job on an excellent level in an impressive way. Nothing has changed. Edu is no.1.
“Kepa is a strong goalkeeper who we are happy to have in the squad. Tomorrow is the next challenge for him to show.”
From the very beginning of his tenure, Tuchel wanted Mendy as his main shot stopper.
This hasn’t prevented him from handing Kepa several chances between the sticks.
The Spaniard is yet to miss a match in this season’s FA Cup run, conceding just once along the way.
His goal was breached during Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, a mini warm up for the weekend’s fixture.
Mendy is likely to return for the Blues remaining matches of the campaign, all three with sizeable significance.
Another Leicester clash awaits next week, this time in the league, before Tuchel’s team travel to Aston Villa on the final day.
Then 2020/21 will neatly be wrapped up with a Champions League contest versus Manchester City on May 29th.
Although Kepa has got the nod tomorrow, it shouldn’t be long before Mendy marks his reappearance.
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