Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says Kepa Arrizabalaga is back in contention to start more regularly for the club after his impressive performance against Liverpool last week.
The Spain international was one of Chelsea's standout performers during their 2-0 win in the FA Cup, where goals from Willian and Ross Barkley booked their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Kepa had lost his first-team place to Willy Caballero, but Lampard says he's got a decision to make moving forward over who starts in between the sticks for Chelsea in the Premier League.
"Yeah it’s given me thoughts," Lampard said, quoted by football.london. "He did very well, it’s exactly what I wanted from him and I understand that that’s not easy because everyone looks to the goalkeeper more than an outfield player.
"All eyes are on and I’ve mentioned in the weeks before that he’s been professional in how he’s handled it when has been out of the team.
"He came in and did exactly what I want so he’s given me good thinking."
Kepa had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after losing his place in Chelsea's first team, most notably being tipped to rejoin his former side Athletic Club before the start of the new season.
The 25-year-old's future still isn't completely secure, however, as Chelsea have recently been linked with a move for Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
Çakır has also previously been mentioned as a transfer target for Liverpool, although the Trabzonspor star's price tag of €30m will likely force the Reds to look elsewhere for an understudy to Alisson Becker.
Kepa's immediate future at Chelsea will become more clear this weekend, with Lampard's side set to host Everton on Sunday.
The Blues have only won one of their last five matches in the Premier League and are now just three points clear inside the top four.
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Source :
90min
