Chelsea’s starting XI against Liverpool at the weekend will reveal how Frank Lampard truly feels about Kepa Arrizabalaga.
After the first 45 minutes of the season’s opening match, it seemed as if Chelsea fans would be treated to a new and improved Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 25-year-old made a confident save and his positioning looked spot on. However, a dreadful error leading to Brighton’s only goal was a painful reminder of the horrors supporters endured last year. Frank Lampard was quick to come to the defense of his keeper after the match—even going as far as to say he was happy with his starter—which upset many Blues fans.
It’s important to put the comments into context though. As the deal for Edouard Mendy continues to drag on, it looks as if Lampard is going to be stuck with Arrizabalaga as his No. 1 for the foreseeable future. Therefore, making comments to the media following one blunder against Brighton—in a 3-1 win, nonetheless—would have a detrimental impact inside the dressing room. Nor is that the way Lampard manages.
The Blues’ dealings with Rennes for Mendy reveal how the gaffer views his shot-stopping situation. The Senegalese’s agreement with Chelsea says all anybody needs to know about what Lampard is thinking, regardless of his comments in front of the cameras. Mendy is being brought in to compete with the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, at the very least. While the managers words reassured Arrizabalaga, they also tipped Lampard’s hand for the upcoming match.
The second-year Chelsea shot caller now has a big decision to make. On one hand, he can play Arrizabalaga against the English champions, the same side that put five past him just a few weeks ago. This would continue to show faith in the Spaniard while the Blues wait for Mendy to join up with the team in a few days’ time. On the other hand, he could write Willy Caballero’s name down on the team sheet.
If he chooses to do the latter, Lampard backtracks on his comments from a few days prior and the media paints him as an artist of the unpleasant variety. The managers comments would no longer be interpreted as credible as “you can dress a pig up in satin and lace it’s still a pig.” This would be the fallout from the Argentine’s selection, in addition to stripping Arrizabalaga of all confidence. Caballero’s inclusion as the main man between the sticks does come with its positives, but the question is, do the positives outweigh the negatives?
The jury is still out on which of the two is better, but at the end of the day, the gap separating the duo isn’t significant enough to make or break Chelsea against the Reds. Therefore, Lampard will likely go with the Spaniard in goal again as it saves face. Given the situation, that may be the only thing a Blues employee saves on the day.
It also gives those around the club more time to evaluate Arrizabalaga. One of the main reasons Chelsea is choosing to bring in Mendy is to ensure the current No. 1 is exactly who he appears to be. Bringing in a world class, bank-breaking goalkeeper only to find out the Spaniard wasn’t the problem would have a catastrophic impact on the club’s financials. A solid first year in west London leaves everybody with a “what if?” in the back of their minds. Playing Arrizabalaga for a few weeks—while the defense comes together—will tell us all we need to know.
Lampard backed himself into a corner with his post-match comments about the situation between the sticks. Chelsea fans are counting down the days until Mendy arrives at Cobham. After this weekend, the gaffer may be as well, despite what he spews out to journalists.