Kepa admits 'not easy' being Mendy backup at Chelsea

Football
7 Sep 2021 • 11:28 AM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

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Kepa Arrizabalaga admits he's not enjoying being a goalkeeper reserve at Chelsea.

Kepa has conceded he finds it difficult to play back-up for Chelsea's number one goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Kepa's time at Stamford Bridge has gone far from the way many would have expected it would when the Blues parted with £71m to bring him to west London from Athletic Bilbao.

He told Radio Marca: "Everyone wants to play. Everyone wants to be in the starting line up on Saturday and Sunday.

"For outfield players, there's a chance of coming on, but the goalkeeper surely isn't going to play. It's not easy. The game days when you don't play aren't easy.

"You need to assume your role at that point. Help as best you can. During the week, on a daily basis, push to the maximum. Doing it for you, not for anyone else, just to be prepared. To keep improving and to be ready when given the opportunity or for any circumstance."

However, though he finds himself out of the starting eleven for much of the time, Kepa sung the praises of manager Thomas Tuchel.

"Everyone wants to play in the most important games. Those who play, those who don't play, there's support. Those who don't play, they're pushing too.

"It's a group that goes in the same direction, that rejoices in the success of his teammate and that helps when someone is not having a good time."


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