Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga shows there is always a corner to turn
By Travis Tyler
Frank Lampard wasn’t wrong when he wanted a new keeper at Chelsea. While one could point towards Chelsea’s overall defensive issues under his tenure, the xG conceded versus actual goals conceded pointed towards the defense being fine enough. The keeper behind them, Kepa Arrizabalaga, was not.
This largely panned out with Edouard Mendy. The Blues did much better at preventing goals with Mendy between the sticks even under Lampard. But, the winter came and many things went wrong at once and Lampard was sacked. Thomas Tuchel came in and did something unusual.
See, most managers would look at Mendy and Arrizabalaga and settle firmly on Mendy. Tuchel, however, has put trust in Arrizabalaga. Not just for cup competitions, which in of itself is unusual from where the Spaniard was previously, but in the league as well.
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Suddenly, Kepa Arrizabalaga looks better than he ever has at Chelsea. He’s become proof that there is always a corner to turn in this game. So, how did this happen and how will this affect the season going forward?
The main way Arrizabalaga has improved is trust. Again, Lampard wasn’t wrong to come to the conclusion he did. Mendy being one of the best in the world certainly hasn’t hurt that notion either. But Tuchel has trusted Arrizabalaga. It started with a cup game here, a league game there. Now, if a penalty shootout is about to take place, you can bet on Arrizabalaga being brought on to be between the sticks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Arrizabalaga see out the remainder of the EFL Cup or go the length of the FA Cup. Tuchel may even start using him in the Champions League group stage once things are a bit clearer.
And, of course, there won’t be a choice come January. The Africa Cup of Nations was supposed to shift towards the summer but Covid delayed that notion. It will be in January as it has traditionally been and Mendy is sure to be called away for the entirety of that month if not more. That’s a period where the Blues will likely be without Mendy for Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, and probably a cup match or two against a tricky opponent. And yet, there isn’t much fear for the Blues as the period gets closer.
Arrizabalaga isn’t perfect and he certainly hasn’t reached the heights Mendy has, but he’s been doing a solid job for Tuchel. He’s not exactly filled out his price tag, but keeping him as the back up and sometimes more isn’t the nervous break down inducing crisis that it could have been.
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Tuchel breathed life into Arrizabalaga. He’s as close to his potential as he’s ever been and he’s still very young for a keeper. His Chelsea story certainly hasn’t gone the way he would have written it, but he’s gotten it back on track. Mendy will be gone for some huge matches in the winter and Arrizabalaga has proven himself to be a fine stand in. The corner has been turned and can be for any player in similarly dire situations