Kepa Arrizabalaga’s failure to impress regularly at Chelsea saw them bring Édouard Mendy from Rennes in 2020.
The Senegal international starred for the Blues in his debut campaign and helped his side win the Champions League.
Frank Lampard preferred Mendy ahead of the 26-year-old and there were no changes after Thomas Tuchel replaced the Blues legend at Stamford Bridge back in January.
Lack of playing time at the west London club saw Luis Enrique leave the goalkeeper out of his Spain squad for Euro 2020. In the summer, there were various claims suggesting Kepa is looking to leave the Premier League side.
That didn’t happen and it’s because of a key decision made by Tuchel, as per Marca. The German preferred Mendy ahead of Kepa in the UEFA Super Cup tie against Villarreal. However, he replaced the 29-year-old with the Spaniard in the 119th minute.
Tuchel’s decision paid off as Kepa was Chelsea’s hero in their last success in August.
It’s stated the clash against Villarreal was the ‘turning point’ as it ‘supported the keeper’s idea’ to continue at the club, rather than ‘looking for a way out’ in the summer.
The ex-Athletic Club Bilbao man started for Chelsea in the last two matches, against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa [in the EFL Cup].
