Chelsea have just sold Kepa Arrizabalaga to their London rivals Arsenal after a seven-year spell at the club.
Kepa was bought for big money — a £71m fee to be precise — but has spent the last two seasons out on loan.
He was never able to convince as Chelsea‘s No.1, with former Blues manager Frank Lampard having serious doubts about him.
At one point, the Chelsea legend‘s desire to replace Kepa even caused him to clash with one of the most powerful figures at Stamford Bridge at the time.
Marina Granovskaia didn’t want to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga despite Frank Lampard’s request
Being the director who handled transfers at Chelsea, Marina Granovskaia was responsible for Kepa’s arrival from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.
Understandably, after spending a lot of cash to bring the 30-year-old to west London, she really wanted things to work out.
Lampard, on the other hand, did not feel he was getting anywhere with Kepa and wanted the Spaniard to be replaced.
According to an article from The Athletic in 2021 following Lampard’s sacking as Chelsea manager, the above caused the ex-England international and Granovskaia to clash.
While Lampard wanted a replacement for Kepa, Granovskaia felt that the retired midfielder should have been doing more to support the Spain international after a difficult 2019/20 season.
In the end, Lampard got his wish, with Chelsea signing Edouard Mendy from Rennes. Mendy helped the Blues to win the Champions League, so the decision to bring him in was vindicated.
Today, Robert Sanchez is Chelsea’s No.1, but he, too, could be replaced. Chelsea targeted AC Milan’s Mike Maignan last month and have recently been linked with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
What Kepa Arrizabalaga has said about Arsenal move
Kepa will be expected to be Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya. The likelihood of not starting games in the Premier League has not made Kepa any less excited about his move to north London, though.
“I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
“The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, all together, we can achieve it.”
It is a fresh start for Kepa, who could be joined at the Emirates by former Chelsea teammate Noni Madueke. After signing the former Bournemouth and Real Madrid loanee, Arsenal could now turn their attention to Madueke as they look to strengthen their attack this summer.
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