Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard has leapt to the defence of the club’s under-fire goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arrizabalaga has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks following a string of high profile errors and underwhelming performances for the London club.
Chelsea have since completed the signing of French goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy from Rennes, ostensibly as a replacement for Arrizabalaga. However, Lampard says it will be erroneous to suggest that the Spaniard’s future no longer lies at Stamford Bridge. “I certainly wouldn’t go to the point as far as saying he [Kepa] has played his last game for Chelsea,” Lampard told the media ahead of Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash with Tottenham.
“It’s been a difficult time for Kepa, that’s well documented. I know it and he knows it, but we certainly shouldn’t jump to that conclusion.
“Also, and I’ve felt quite strongly about this in the last week, there is also the understanding that Kepa is a young man, and a lot of the spotlight on him has become slightly unfair.
“I have to protect him because I know he’s a good lad. He’s playing with absolute professionalism and attempting to do the best he can, as all the squad have to.”
Lampard then revealed that Mendy has quickly settled into life at the club and is in the squad to face Spurs, along with another new recruit in left-back Ben Chilwell, who made his bow off the bench in the last round against Barnsley.
However, Hakim Ziyech is not quite ready for a debut in the midweek London derby. Christian Pulisic is also unavailable, though the winger is nearing a return to action for the Blues.
“It’s all very positive, the early signs and interactions, as a man and also on the training pitch,” Lampard said of Mendy, who cost a reported £20 million fee.
“He settled in very well in those few days and we’ve made him very welcome, as always.
“It’s competition. He’s a good goalkeeper and we know a lot about him. We will see how we go.”
