Chelsea man confirms he could have left in the summer – But “happy to have stayed at this fantastic club”

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has confirmed he could have left the club this summer but elected to stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish keeper has found himself increasingly on the periphery at the club over the last 18 months, with Edouard Mendy the undisputed number one.

That had seen him linked with a move throughout the summer and numerous reports in Italy linked him to Lazio and Napoli.

They latter are currently managed by Maurizio Sarri, who worked with Kepa during his time at Chelsea, and were on the hunt for a new number one in this window.

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Napoli were in a similar situation after Pepe Reina returned to Spain, but while both sides held negotiations with Chelsea over a deal their limited finances, and reluctance to spend them, made things difficult.

Ultimately a deal could not be done and Kepa remained with the Blues, competing with Mendy for the number one spot for another year.

He’s now commented on the rumours and confirmed that talks were held about a move away this summer.

“I had the opportunity to leave Chelsea this summer,” Corriere dello Sport report him saying.

“There were things, but the club always gave me their trust, they always wanted me to be part of the team.

“We analysed the situation together and I am happy to have stayed at this fantastic club.”