Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has cast doubt on the future of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga at the club: “I don’t care how much he cost.”
The 25-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Club Bilbao in the summer of 2018 for a fee of €80m – a world record transfer for a goalkeeper.
He replaced Thibaut Courtois as the club’s number one – with the Belgian international instead moving to Real Madrid – and has established himself as the team’s number one shot-stopper.
However, Willy Caballero, 38, replaced Kepa between the sticks for Lampard’s side against Leicester last time out and it appears confidence in the Spanish goalkeeper has now gone.
Kepa has often been selected as the Spanish national team goalkeeper ahead of David De Gea and this development is causing concerns for fans of La Roja ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Lampard replied when asked about his number one for the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester United, as cited by Marca.
“I don’t consider what he cost (Kepa), it’s what happens in training that counts.
“It was a decision that I made that day. I want everyone to be ready and react. I know what it will have felt like for him to be left out. It also happened to me in my career, it’s part of it and I’m happy with his reaction.”
The coming months appear to be decisive for Kepa’s career at Stamford Bridge.