Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, has revealed that Kepa Arrizabalaga’s impressive performance in goal for the Blues has made him my first choice goalkeeper.
Potter has not selected Mendy since he replaced Thomas Tuchel.
Kepa had initially lost his position to the Senegal international.
However, Mendy got injured several matches into the 2022/2023 season and Kepa then got his chance.
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“It is better to let football decide,” Potter answered when asked the question regarding the two keepers and who is his first choice.
“Kepa has done really well. He has been supported fantastically by [Mendy] and [Marcus Bettinelli]. They provide good competition.
“Kepa’s form is really pleasing for everybody, especially him, so it’s nice we have competition in that area. That’s how you get players better.”
Style of play
As a prospect and young player, Arrizabalaga was regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe, known for his consistency, speed, agility, shot-stopping ability, and quick reflexes, which enables him to produce “brilliant saves.” Arrizabalaga was also known for his footwork, distribution, and skill with the ball at his feet, as well as his ability to rush off his line, which allowed him to act as a sweeper keeper and play the ball out of the back in Maurizio Sarri’s possession-based system that relied on a high back-line.
Former goalkeeper Manuel Almunia praised Arrizabalaga in 2017 as a goalkeeper with “good, strong feet” and “good movement,” who was capable saving the ball with his feet, and also described him as a keeper who possessed “presence and character,” also adding: “I’m sure he’ll make a great keeper.” In 2018, former Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea described Arrizabalaga as being “good in the air,” noting that “he jumps and catches the ball very well,” while Richard Fitzpatrick of Bleacher Report described him as being “good at marshalling a defence.”
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