Frank Lampard Reveals he Was Backed by Chelsea to Drop Kepa Arrizabalaga

Originally posted on FanNation Absolute Chelsea
By Rob Calcutt | Last updated 12/4/21

Chelsea legend and former manager Frank Lampard has revealed he was given backing by the club to drop Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Blues goalkeeper was the first choice option in between the sticks when Lampard arrived as manager and featured prominently through most of the 19/20 season.

However, he went through a rough patch of form and was soon replaced by Willy Caballero in the Chelsea goal.

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Lampard spoke on the situation regarding Kepa's spot in the team and what happened when he decided to drop the Spaniard.

“With Kepa, he was having a tough time. He was very open.

"I tried to have open conversations with him. I got to the point where I had to make a change. There was no feeling of pressure from above. It became very high profile when I did it.

“The club were supportive of that. I don’t think I’m being harsh on Kepa as he had a tough year and he’s talented, but I felt it was a position which we could improve. Mendy was the result, who has been fantastic."

Since Edouard Mendy's arrival at the club last summer, Kepa has regularly been named as the substitute goalkeeper in both Lampard and Thomas Tuchel's starting XIs.

However he has made four appearances so far this season, including the Super Cup final against Villarreal in which he was the hero in the penalty shootout.

He has also featured twice in the Carabao Cup and kept a clean sheet at Tottenham Hotspur.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Absolute Chelsea and was syndicated with permission.

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