Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville does expect Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to be offloaded before the transfer window shuts as he doesn’t believe manager Frank Lampard rates the Spanish international.
The 25-year-old was dropped twice by the Blues boss last season and, despite claims to the contrary, Neville feels that the shot-stopper’s days at Stamford Bridge could be numbered:
“Kepa is struggling at Chelsea and I don’t think Frank Lampard fancies him. The problem they’ve got is that they spent £70m on him which is just an enormous amount of money and they won’t get that back.
Frank Lampard has left him out now numerous times so he’s not hidden the fact that he doesn’t quite like the way he’s performing so they’ve got a real challenge with the acquisition. I think Kepa’s said he’s fighting for his spot. We’ll see what happens but I know the manager doesn’t like him.”
Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of keepers over the past few weeks, including the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, Ajax’s Andre Onana, Burnley’s Nick Pope and Lille’s Mike Maignan.
There have also been reports that that the London club have made two offers for Rennes’ number one Edouard Mendy which suggests Kepa’s future is far from certain.
The Blues’ focus on making signings in other areas of the pitch does, though, mean they have limited resources to spend on a new keeper which could lead to the Spaniard staying put if no new additions in the goalkeeping department are made.