Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly confident he will be restored to the starting line-up when the Blues take on fellow top four challengers Manchester United on Monday.
The 25-year-old was surprisingly dropped by Frank Lampard for Chelsea’s last game against Leicester, with veteran goalkeeper Willy Caballero taking his place for the 2-2 draw.
Kepa has had a poor season for his standards, and currently sits at the bottom of the save percentage table for Premier League No.1 goalkeepers having kept out just 56% of the shots he has faced, even less than the likes of Norwich’s Tim Krul.
But according to The Sun Kepa and Lampard had frank discussions in training recently and the Spaniard is of the belief he still remains the number one choice in goal.
(Image: EMPICS Sport)
His cause may have been helped by the less than convincing performance of Caballero against the Foxes, with the former Manchester City man caught out of position for Ben Chilwell’s second half goal which gave Leicester the lead.
Despite the fact he is likely to get his place back, there are still rumours that Lampard wants to sell Kepa in the summer, with him and the board set to clash as they do not want to get rid of a player they spent £72m on so soon.
(Image: Getty Images)
Kepa will need to be at his best if Chelsea are to seal qualification for the Champions League, with their form dipping in recent weeks and the chasing pack gaining momentum.
They are without a win in their last three games in the league and Sheffield United, Tottenham, Everton, Man United and Wolves all sit six points within reach of the Blues.
Following the game against United Chelsea face Spurs and then Bayern Munich in the Champions League, in what could be a pivotal eight days in their season.
