Frank Lampard says he has faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga following the Chelsea goalkeeper's error against Brighton on Monday evening.
Arrizabalaga let Brighton winger Leandro Trossard's long-range curler squeeze underneath his arm, though that didn't stop Chelsea from running out 3-1 victors as goals from Jorginho, Reece James and Kurt Zouma secured the victory.
While Chelsea are expected to conclude a deal for Rennes stopper Edouard Mendy in the near future, Lampard was quick to back Arrizabalaga, stating as quoted by the Guardian: “I am very happy with Kepa.
“With the shot I’m not sure if he could’ve done any better. But I saw a bit more confidence in how he was playing. Kepa is here, he’s our keeper and I’m happy with him. If we are bringing in competition, it will be competition. That’s the nature of Chelsea and it goes throughout the squad."
Arrizabalaga has been subject to significant criticism following his £71.6m move to Chelsea in 2018. The Spain international has been at fault for a number of goals during his two-year spell with the Blues and famously refused to be substituted in the 2019 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
Last season, the Spaniard boasted a save percentage of just 55.4% which ranked him 127th out of 132 goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues. Of all the shot-stoppers to play over ten games in England's top-flight, his save percentage was the lowest.
It comes as little surprise that Chelsea have been linked with a number of goalkeepers this summer. Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak and Ajax's André Onana were mentioned, but they now have their sights set firmly on Rennes' Mendy.
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for the Senegal keeper and Mendy is thought to have informed Rennes of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.
If the move materialises, he will become the eighth addition in what has already been a window of heavy investment at Chelsea. Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Xavier Mbuyamba, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Kai Havertz have all arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Source: 90min
