Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea have been urged to reconsider their transfer plans and retain Kepa Arrizabalaga, despite ongoing negotiations with Arsenal over a £5 million deal for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a cut-price move for Kepa, with Mikel Arteta identifying the 29-year-old as a reliable deputy to David Raya for the 2025/26 season. Raya is firmly established as Arsenal’s No.1, but the Gunners are seeking a strong backup option following the departure of backup keeper Neto, who has returned to Bournemouth.
Kepa, once the most expensive goalkeeper in football history following his £72 million move to Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, has failed to meet expectations at Stamford Bridge. He has spent the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth after falling down the pecking order at Chelsea.
Despite Chelsea’s willingness to offload Kepa and take a significant financial loss, former Blues winger Pat Nevin believes the club may be making a costly mistake by letting him go.
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Speaking toSpin Genie, Nevin argued that Chelsea already possess the solution to their goalkeeping dilemma within their current ranks, pointing out that spending big on a new keeper may not be necessary.
Arsenal - Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Image credit: Getty Images)
“The goalkeeper position is a tough one for Chelsea because what they’re looking for is youth,” Nevin said. “But goalkeepers, like centre-backs, don’t really come into their own until they’re around 25 or 26. Jordan Pickford, for example, is a fantastic shot-stopper and decent with his feet, but he would cost a lot and I don’t think Chelsea want to spend heavily in that area.”
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“Look who’s already on their books: Robert Sánchez, Filip Jorgensen, Gabriel Slonina, Djordje Petrovic, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. I think the resolution to their goalkeeping issue could already be at the club. Kepa is as good as any of the goalkeepers mentioned and is a viable option Chelsea should revisit.”
Nevin acknowledged Kepa’s weaknesses, particularly his lack of presence in the box but argued that his shot-stopping ability and improved footwork make him a strong candidate to remain at Chelsea.
“If he’s the best option after learning from his loan spells, Chelsea shouldn’t be scouring the globe for another goalkeeper. Kepa has got better with his feet and remains a fantastic shot-stopper. While presence is still a question mark, I don’t think that’s Chelsea’s biggest problem right now.”
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