What next for Chelsea calamity keeper Kepa?
Robin Bairner
- 28 Feb 2022 21:40 GMT
- 3 min read
Sunday’s League Cup final descended into a nightmare for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, though he only spent a couple of minutes on the field during open play.
The Spaniard was drafted into the game in the closing stages of extra-time as a penalty shootout specialist but saw all of Liverpool’s 11 penalties beat him. Worse was to come, however, when it was time to take his own kick. He fired it well over the bar, consigning the Blues to defeat.
It was a performance that cast further doubts over Chelsea’s wisdom in splashing out €80 million (£72m) for the goalkeeper, who was signed from Athletic Club in 2018 but has rarely shown the type of form to justify that fee.
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Indeed, his future at the club is now at stake more than ever.
Kepa’s price tag has counted against him from the beginning, but perhaps more than ever now. He is seen as an expensive understudy to Edouard Mendy, who has excelled to an unexpected level since arriving from Rennes in the summer of 2020.
Having such an asset sitting on the bench makes little sense for Chelsea, so there is every chance he could be moved on in the summer.
Who wants to sign Kepa?
Atletico Madrid have been credited with an interest in the 27-year-old, but the leading candidates to sign the goalkeeper are Newcastle.
The Daily Star has linked the St James’ Park side with the shot-stopper, with the Magpies eager to upgrade their options in goal amid what is likely to be a massive summer spending spree.
All areas of the squad are liable to be enhanced, with the Saudi Arabian takeover of the club late in 2021 providing the finances that will allow them to do that.
Newcastle should be comfortably able to offer Chelsea an acceptable valuation for Kepa, with the Blues seeking to recoup as much as possible from the flop deal they made. This is a transfer in which their financial muscle could be telling.
