Kepa Arrizabalaga who is the number one goal keeper of Chelsea Football Club has lost a lot of confidence from his head coach Frank Lampard and also the club's fans. The Spaniard was bought for £72 million which is the amount transfer fee paid for a goal keeper, a record which still stand till date.
The main reason of this post is just to highlight some reasons why I think Chelsea boss Frank Lampard should have confidence in his out of form goal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Kepa lost his place to Chelsea second goalkeeper Willy Caballero so many times in the recently completed season, he was on the bench in Chelsea's win over Wolves which was their last Premier League game of the season and also their loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup final and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Without taking much time, the following are the reasons why Chelsea Boss Frank Lampard and Chelsea fans should have confidence in Kepa Arrizabalaga next season.
1. Saves
Looking at this aspect, Kepa Arrizabalaga made just few percentage more than average saves this season which is below expectation of a club like Chelsea. Kepa made 82 saves in the Premier League last season which was his first season and was part of the top five goalkeeper contesting for the Golden glove which Alisson Becker finally won. He can still pick up a good form if he gets a stabilize defence and playing time.
2. Clean sheets
Kepa Arrizabalaga set a very poor record this season making just only 10 clean sheets in 41 games but it doesn't mean that he won't improve with a better defense. Kepa made 23 clean sheets in 54 games last season. With a very good and experienced defenders, Kepa will be able to increase his clean sheets.
3. Goals Conceded
This is the only aspect most people look at to judge Kepa's performance which is not meant to be so. Kepa Arrizabalaga conceded 58 goals in all competition which is just 41 games he played last season and so many people criticized him because of the high number of goals. Chelsea defenders are also to be blamed for bulk of this goals because they are beaten easily. The 2018/19 season which was the 25 years old goal keeper's first season in the English Premier League, he conceded 51 goals in 54 games and finished 3rd position in the league and also winning the UEFA Europa League.
4. Penalty Saves
If you remember Kepa Arrizabalaga is a very good penalty stopper and this is one reason why Chelsea should have confidence in him for next season. On the 24th Of January, 2019, Kepa Arrizabalaga made a penalty save for Chelsea against Tottenham in the EFL Cup which led them to the final, in the EFL final he also kept one penalty but unfortunately Chelsea lost to Manchester City after losing two of their penalties. On the 9th Of May 2019 where Chelsea faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final of the Europa League, Kepa Arrizabalaga saved two penalties which helped Chelsea progress to the final where they won the competition.
This season's fifth match day of the UEFA Champions League, Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a penalty from Dani Parejo in Chelsea's away draw with Valencia in the group stage.
5. Other Factors
A. Kepa Arrizabalaga is just 25 years old and can still improve and gather more experience in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
B. Chelsea is the first big club he is playing for in his career and his responsibility are very much because they always want to win unlike his former club Athletic Bilbao. His mentality can still be changed and he can still have faith in himself for the task ahead of him.
C. Kepa Arrizabalaga has never made a error leading to goal since his stay in the English Premier League so he is not prone to errors.
D. He has never done an own goals as well in the English Premier League.
E. He established himself as one of the best goal keepers in the Premier League in his first year.
F. He was at goal when Chelsea did an unbeaten run to win the UEFA Europa League Last Season.
With all this I see about Kepa Arrizabalaga, I think he deserves a second chance at Chelsea which is next season.
What are your thoughts on the out of form goal keeper?
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