‘Brilliant’: Cesar Azpilicueta singles out 27-year-old Chelsea star after yesterday’s victory

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Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta strongly praised teammate Kepa Arrizabalaga after Saturday’s win in the FA Cup.

The Blues needed extra time yesterday to eventually overcome League One club Plymouth Argyle and reach the fifth round of the domestic competition.

Marcos Alonso’s goal during extra time handed Chelsea, who were without manager Thomas Tuchel after he tested positive for Covid-19, a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Kepa produced some heroics in the closing stages by saving a penalty in the 118th minute to mean his side held on.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper has become renowned for his quality from 12 yards, which is such a great weapon to have up your sleeve in cup ties.

Blues defender Azpilicueta hailed his shot-stopper after the win over Plymouth:

“Kepa is brilliant,” Azpilicueta said.

“He is a great example to everybody. He has gone through a lot of difficulties at this club, but he has always had a positive attitude.

“He looks at himself, improves for the team, even if it’s not easy to be number two.”

Chelsea should play Kepa in all domestic cup games

Kepa’s looked really assured during the last month in net, but he’s still considered the second-choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge behind teammate Edouard Mendy.

Traditionally, a lot of managers like to play their number one in semi-finals/finals, even if the understudy has done the ground work in the earlier rounds of the competition.

Kepa’s in the kind of form he should play in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at the end of February, though.

Tuchel has the luxury of two great goalkeepers, so Spaniard Kepa should at least be able to finish the Carabao Cup and FA Cup campaigns by playing them. That will leave colossus Mendy to play in the Premier League ad Champions League.

Incidentally, Rio Ferdinand recently said he would’ve loved to have played with Mendy.

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