Kepa and Mendy’s future in doubt as Chelsea begins search for No. 1 goalkeeper

After Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived at Chelsea in 2018, the goalkeeper had his fair share of struggles which saw him being reduced to the bench. And after Frank Lampard took over as manager in 2020, the Englishman’s signing of Edourad Mendy seemed to be the final straw in the Spanish goalkeeper’s career at Chelsea.

With Mendy being the first-choice keeper, CFC won the Champions League and things seemed to be going well for the Senegalese keeper. However, almost six months ago, when Graham Potter took charge of the Blues, Mendy fell out of favor and Kepa Arrizabalaga re-established himself as Chelsea’s go to shot stopper.

While the Spanish keeper now enjoys his spot as Chelsea’s No. 1, his performances have remained inconsistent. Due to this, the club is now actively searching for a new No. 1 to take position between the sticks for next season. The names of David Raya, Andre Onana, and Gregor Kobel are all linked with the London-based team.

Among all the rumored names, Raya is the frontrunner to secure a spot between the sticks for Chelsea. His consistent performances for Brentford have earned him praise from around the continent, and many big clubs are eyeing the 27-year-old.

The future for Kepa and Mendy does not look bright at Chelsea

Despite making a place for himself as Chelsea’s current No. 1 keeper, the club might consider selling Kepa Arrizabalaga. If an offer worth the money comes in, the Blues might be tempted to sell the Spaniard. However, the club’s position on the player won’t be clear until the end of the current season.

On the other hand, Mendy might now get his desired game time under interim manager Frank Lampard. But, while the manager favors the Senegalese native, the owners don’t think highly of him. As per reports, the Blues have paused contract negotiations with Mendy and have placed him on a below-market-rate deal that expires in 2025.

The club’s actions towards Mendy might come as a surprise to many since the keeper was widely regarded as one of the best in his position just two years ago. Who do you think should start for CFC as goalkeeper next season?