Joe Cole has claimed that Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was “outstanding” in last night’s game against Zenit St Petersburg.
Chelsea could only manage a 3-3 draw on Wednesday during their trip to Russia to play Zenit. Therefore, the Blues finish their Champions League group as runners-up after dropping points in midweek, allowing rivals Juventus to overtake them.
Timo Werner scored two goals to help boost his own confidence, though. Also, Romelu Lukaku tapped into an empty net to get back among the goals.
Pundit and ex-Chelsea star Cole believes that Kepa deserves huge credit for his contribution against Zenit.
In fairness, Thomas Tuchel’s side uncharacteristically found themselves all over the place in defence yesterday. They were lucky to have their £155,000-a-week goalkeeper Kepa in good form to help keep the score down, though.
“Kepa was outstanding in goal. He had so much to do. We’ve not seen Chelsea’s goalkeepers worked in recent months,” Cole told BT Sport 3 (7:45pm, 8 December).
Kepa reliable for Chelsea in 2021
With the Africa Cup Of Nations looming in the New Year, Kepa knows the door is likely to open for him to impress when club teammate Edouard Mendy joins up with his country Senegal.
Kepa, 27, has under Tuchel’s reign looked far more like the goalkeeper Chelsea splashed the cash to sign from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.
The Spaniard made a few outstanding saves against Zenit, including one on the goal-line that he clawed wide with his hand to deny a header.
He’s made five appearances across all competitions this season, so will be glad for any game time that comes his way.
Kepa is providing an excellent role as the back-up goalkeeper right now at Stamford Bridge, which is an opinion echoed by Petr Cech.
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