Chelsea have reportedly decided they will keep goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga beyond the summer transfer window.
According to Spanish publication Sport, the Blues will be keeping the 27-year-old player at Stamford Bridge.
It is understood that the shot-stopper’s received plenty of offers this summer, including from Serie A club Napoli.
However, the report states Thomas Tuchel’s side have blocked any exit by deciding to keep their No.2 keeper and not sell him in the final days of the window.
It sounds like there’s been a considerable U-turn in Chelsea’s thinking this summer.
There were reportedly advanced talks taking place earlier this month with Napoli about Kepa joining the Italian club in a loan move with an option to buy.
However, the £150,000-a-week Spaniard is set for another season in London.
He’s yet to make an appearance in the opening month of this 2022/23 season, something that does need to change sharply.
Chelsea will keep Kepa
Now that it looks like Kepa is staying this year, Chelsea manager Tuchel really needs to consider playing him.
The form of first-choice Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been very patchy in the opening five Premier League games, so he needs to be reminded that his starting position isn’t guaranteed.
For Kepa, there’s been big signs in the past 12 months he’s edging back to his best.
His extremely tough spell in a Chelsea shirt is well covered, but he looks like a player in-between the sticks that has rediscovered some confidence.
He kept eight clean sheets in 15 games across all competitions last season, so surely he’s got to be pushing teammate Mendy close for the starting gloves.
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