According to the Telegraph, Kepa Arrizabalaga just have four months to prove Frank Lampard wrong that he deserves to remain Chelsea’s starting keeper beyond the 2019/20 season.
The Spanish keeper has been criticized by a significant part of fans and pundits after his displays in the games against Newcastle and Arsenal. He was blamed for mistakes that led to Chelsea dropping points in both matches (although some experts question these judgments).
Nevertheless, it’s safe to say Kepa has not met the high hopes that Chelsea fans put on him when he became the most expensive goalkeeper in football history.
According to the source, Frank Lampard will consider replacing the 25-year-old if there is no improvement in his performances until the end of the season.
The Chelsea manager was asked about these rumours at a press conference ahead of the Hull City game, and his choice of words was quite telling.
“I am not looking at it now,” said Lampard. “I am not affected by criticism from the outside as much. I am aware of it, not affected by it.
“It is what I want for the team and I think with Kepa he knows, he’ll be honest that there have been some mistakes that have cost us goals. It is the nature of it, so that needs to improve.”