Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly wants coach Thomas Tuchel to compensate him for not using him in the FIFA Club World Cup final by using him against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Recall that Kepa Arrizabalaga was between the sticks in the semi-final stage of the FIFA Club World Cup because the club’s preferred goalkeeper, Eduoard Mendy just returned to the team from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During the semi-final clash with Al-Hilal, Kepa gave a very good account of himself and was able to record a clean sheet. Chelsea defeated Al-Hilal 1-0 to progress to the final of the tournament.
Despite the performance of Kepa in the semi-final stage, coach Thomas Tuchel was not too sure of the Spanish goalkeeper and had to use Mendy for the final instead of Kepa.
According to a report by The Sun, Kepa Arrizabalaga was left devastated for being dropped ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup final against Palmeiras which Chelsea won 2-1.
Hance, Kepa reportedly believes that coach Thomas Tuchel is indebted to him and the coach has to repay the debt by allowing him to take charge of the Carabao Cup final game against Liverpool on Sunday, February 27, 2022. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:30.
Recall that coach Thomas Tuchel used Kepa for most of the previous stages of the Carabao Cup this season. But the coach might not trust the Spanish goalkeeper well enough to be picked ahead of Mendy.
Reports claimed that Kepa believes that he has proven himself well enough to regain his position as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Recall that when Mendy was away from the club during the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon which is country, Senegal, won for the first time in the country’s history, coach Tuchel had no choice but to to trust in the capacity of Kepa.
In the absence of Mendy, Kepa was able to help Chelsea to win six games in all competitions including home and away victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final stage.
Despite such a performance, The Sun claimed that coach Thomas Tuchel still wants Mendy to remain the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for now.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s contract with Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea on August 8, 2018, from Athletic Bilbao for a transfer fee worth €80 million. His ranking at the club dropped drastically when his form was not as superb as expected especially during the 2019-2020 season. Hence, Chelsea had to sign Mendy who has been outstanding since he joined the club in 2020.
Based on the contract Kepa signed with Chelsea in 2018, the 27-year-old Spanish goalkeeper earns 9.3 Million Pound per year. His pay per week is £180,602.
According to reports, Kepa who is currently in a serious relationship with a former Miss Universe Spain winner Andrea Martinez has a net worth of 18 Million Pound.
What is the stats of Kepa Arrizabalaga at Chelsea?
Since Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea on August 8, 2018, the 27-year-old out-of-favor Spain international has made 122 appearances in all competitions in which he conceded 128 goals and kept 46 clean sheets.
So far this season, Kepa has made a total number of 13 appearances in which he conceded 8 goals and kept seven clean sheets.
