Chelsea star set for Club World Cup selection snub as Blues ‘brace themselves’ for summer offers
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could be left on the bench for the Club World Cup final on Saturday, while the Blues are reportedly ‘bracing themselves’ for offers this summer.
Arrizabalaga became the world’s most expensive stopper in August 2018 when Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao £71million for his signature. He immediately became the club’s number one and made 36 Premier League appearances in his debut season.
The Spaniard also helped Chelsea to reach the 2019 Carabao Cup final. But the match against Manchester City at Wembley became infamous as Arrizabalaga refused to be replaced by Willy Caballero after going down with an apparent injury.
The incident ruined his relationship with manager Maurizio Sarri and the Italian left Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.
Arrizabalaga’s form soon started to turn worse and his save-to-shot ratio became the worst in the top flight, as per Opta.
His troublesome performances forced the Blues to hunt for a new keeper and they soon decided on Edouard Mendy. The 29-year-old is now one of the best players in his position globally and helped the club to win last season’s Champions League.
Arrizabalaga started in Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final win over Al-Hilal. He kept a clean sheet as they reached the final with a 1-0 victory.
Mendy return impacts Kepa Arrizabalaga
But according to The Guardian, Mendy is back in Thomas Tuchel’s squad after returning from international duty and could start when Chelsea play Palmeiras this weekend.
Arrizabalaga’s form has improved under the German, but he apparently doesn’t want to take any risks with another trophy on the line.
The report claims Chelsea are ‘bracing themselves’ for summer interest in the 27-year-old. And they are unlikely to stand in his way, should a suitable offer come in.
They are willing to take a significant loss on the £71m player as they know his value has plummeted in recent seasons. transfermarkt claim he is now worth just £9m.
Selling Arrizabalaga would allow the west London outfit to bring in a younger keeper with more potential. They would likely act as Mendy’s understudy.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has made 13 appearances so far this term, but just four of those have come in the league.
Chelsea target makes Champions League admission
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United target Declan Rice has spoken about his dream of winning pretty much every trophy available.
Several outlets place the midfielder on Chelsea’s wish list as they aim to bolster their midfield ranks. United will provide competition though, as will Manchester City.
During an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast, Rice said: “I have always said it, I don’t want to have a career where I’ve not won anything.
“I’ve seen all these top players win trophies, win the Premier League, the Champions League.
“I want to win the best stuff. I want to win the Premier League, I want to lift that trophy, I want to win the Champions League, I want to win the FA Cups, League Cups. Even with England, I want to win it all.
“If you haven’t got that ambition as a footballer why are you playing? They are the best moments of your life winning those trophies.”
Rice is more likely to win the Prem and UCL if he leaves West Ham. That could see him move to Chelsea, United or City in the next few years.
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