By Daily Sports on December 25, 2021
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has hailed the character and professionalism of back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 27-year-old Spaniard is currently playing second fiddle to Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge, but his form when called upon has not gone unnoticed by Tuchel.
Kepa, making only his sixth appearance of the season, produced two stunning saves to keep Brentford at bay as a youthful Chelsea side won 2-0 on Wednesday.
The win helped them to reach the League Cup semi-finals.
Mendy is set to return when the Blues head to Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Sunday, but Tuchel is delighted with his options in the goalkeeping department.
“I am very happy in general. Happy is maybe not the right word, but I am super impressed with Kepa,” he said.
“It is not a surprise anymore because he is in the state of mind as a person, a character and a sportsman where he just delivers for us, because he does what he does best.
“This is what he shows every day in training and this is why he gets the reward. I am absolutely sure that this is the reason why he has these kinds of performances.
“I am super happy, we need him in this kind of shape. The goalkeepers are a strong group and Kepa is a big part of it.”
Tuchel can welcome back Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi for the trip to Villa Park.
The attacking duo were two of the eight Blues players hit by COVID-19 but have now recorded negative tests and are back in training.
Defender Andreas Christensen is also in contention after a back injury. (dpa/NAN)
•PHOTO: Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 25, 2021
You may also like...
Wearing Argentina shirt is heavy pressure, says Crespo...
Messi Bags Red Card For The First Time...
LMC hands Wikki Tourists three-match closed door sanction...
Fury, Wilder next targets for Joshua – Hearn...
Falconets progress as Mauritius withdraw from World Cup...
AFCON: Congo down 10-man Egypt, hit q’finals on...

Osimhen undergoes tests today for Fenerbahce return
Atalanta must take UCL form to Serie A – Lookman
Crystal Palace's five-match unbeaten run ended by Strasbourg
EPL: Chelsea, Arsenal set for London derby as Man City hosts struggling Leeds
Pimblett to fight Gaethje for interim title in January
Madueke 'not worried' by fan criticism over signing
'More identity' - Frank takes heart from Spurs defeat at PSG
Slot having 'same conversations' at club despite form
Ex-UFC champ, Garcia warn Paul against Joshua fight
Bayelsa begin NWFL title defence against Edo Queens
‘Nigeria ready for West Africa paravolley tourney’
18 teams battle for Renewed Hope basketball tourney
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,374 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,607 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,547 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,185 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,161 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,078 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,921 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,503 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,632 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,197 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,590 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,065 views)