“What a great decision, thanks for using him” – Former Liverpool player hails Graham Potter for starting 28-year-old star in 3-0 victory over Wolves
Stan Collymore, a former Liverpool striker, praised Chelsea manager Graham Potter for giving Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a fresh start at the team.
For the Blues under Potter, Arrizabalaga has started all three games in goal. On September 14, when Red Bull Salzburg was the opponent in the UEFA Champions League, the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager made the decision to give the Spaniard a chance. Edouard Mendy, a Senegalese goalkeeper, was hurt during that game.
The 28-year-old has continued to be the starter goalie ever since. Collymore recently penned the following in a blog post for CaughtOffside:
“Kepa is a player who is benefiting from Potter’s arrival, He’s started in Chelsea’s last three matches and he’s playing well. This is another great decision from Potter. He’s come in and said ‘look lads, I am here now, so everyone has a clean slate – impress me.”
However, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been a Chelsea player since 2018 after joining for £71 million, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world.
He has made 128 appearances for the club so far. The Spain international has conceded 133 goals and kept 48 clean sheets during his time at the club.
However, since the arrival of Mendy from Stade Rennais back in 2020, he mostly played second feedle to the Senegalese. Former manager Thomas Tuchel also preferred Mendy as his first choice between the posts.
Mendy has been in rather lackluster form in recent times, making many uncharacteristic mistakes. His injury has opened the door for Arrizabalaga to prove his worth at the club.