Football

‘Everything was different’ – Chelsea ace now a regular under Frank Lampard after previous snub

April 18, 2023 4:30 pm
‘Everything was different’ – Chelsea ace now a regular under Frank Lampard after previous snub

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is delighted to be the club’s number one after winning back his place from Edouard Mendy.

The latter was the more regular choice in Frank Lampard’s first spell at the dugout, but the tables have now been turned. Kepa was even handed the captain’s armband in the Premier League loss to Brighton at the weekend.

Kepa now Chelsea number one

The Blues have mainly struggled in the final third this season, with conceding goals seemingly not a major issue. And number one Kepa looks set to remain the first choice under Lampard in what is a key period for the club.

“It was three years ago, it was a different situation,” Kepa told the official Chelsea website. “Everything is different. Now I am playing.

“Frank came here again, he is our manager and he is taking his decision every game and when he picks me to be in the starting 11, I am trying to be my best.”

Kepa reflects on positive individual season

It has been a simply miserable campaign for Chelsea, who currently sit 11th in the Premier League table.

The Blues have won just 10 of their 31 matches, drawing nine and losing the other 12. Moreover, they were knocked out of both the FA Cup and League Cup by Manchester City in the third round.

Kepa admits the Blues have not been at their best this season, but the Chelsea number one believes he has done his best between the sticks.

“It has been a very positive season for me personally,” added Kepa. “I think the last two seasons I have played 15 games per season, now I am playing more. I am feeling well, I am feeling with confidence and I am enjoying it on the pitch.

“Obviously the season in general is not the best one but personally I am happy with my season.”

Chelsea

Chelsea keeper not thinking about penalties

While Chelsea are out of both domestic cups and have nothing to play for in the Premier League, there is the small matter of the Champions League remaining.

The Blues are, however, facing an uphill battle against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the quarter-final second leg this evening.

Stamford Bridge plays host to the highly-anticipated clash, with Madrid taking a 2-0 advantage with them to west London.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio secured a 2-0 win in the Spanish capital last Wednesday, with Ben Chilwell seeing red for the visitors.

Should the Blues manage to claw a few goals back this evening, a penalty shootout is on the cards, but such a scenario has not been on the mind of Kepa, despite the Spaniard boasting a good record in saving spot kicks.

“We do not think too much about penalties for this game,” said Kepa. “We are focusing on many other areas we have to think about before it. 

“If the game arrives at penalties then we are looking at everything and we know everything and I think we have good players in this area, but they are training during the weeks on penalties, not just these past two days.”

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