Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has maintained his position in the starting lineup in the Champions League despite the managerial changes at Stamford Bridge.
After their 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb last Tuesday, the Blues sacked Thomas Tuchel and appointed Graham Potter as his successor. In the latter’s first game in charge of the west London club, they settled for a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.
Arrizabalaga was included in the starting XI yesterday and it was his second start of this season. Édouard Mendy is preferred ahead of him in the league, which has been the case since the Senegalese joined Chelsea in 2020.
The Spain international had opportunities to leave the club in the summer window before the Premier League side convinced him to continue with them.
“Yes, there were things, but the club always gave me their trust, they always wanted me to be part of the squad. We analysed it and I am happy to stay and be in this great club,” Kepa told Cadena Ser’s El Larguero, relayed by AS.
The 27-year-old also gace his opinion after Chelsea’s decision to sack Tuchel, who was replaced by Graham Potter last week.
“In the end it has only been a couple of days that we have been with him [Potter], it has been a bit of a crazy week. When a coach with whom we have had so many good moments leaves, it is always a bit sad. With the new coach, there’s new ideas,” he explained.
Kepa’s immediate goal is to feature for Chelsea so that it improves his chances of making it to the World Cup with Spain.
“Obviously, I dream about it. I had the privilege of being in Russia and I work to be there. This time that I haven’t played at the club is difficult, but I feel the confidence of the national team’s coaching staff and hopefully if I have continuity at my club [so that] I can be there,” Kepa added.
