Who should replace Kepa at Chelsea?
It is safe to say Kepa Arrizabalaga’s stay at Stamford Bridge has not been without hiccups.
The Spaniard arrived from Athletic Bilbao for an eye-watering £71.6m in August 2018 and has failed to maintain solid form for the Blues.
Due to Bilbao’s Basque-only player policy, their star names come at a premium.
Chelsea paid the Biscay-born stopper’s colossal buy-out clause as Thibaut Courtois moved to Real Madrid the same year.
From refusing to be subbed off by Sarri to bench-warming under Lampard, the Spaniard has had a topsy-turvy time, leading to rumours of his departure.
Chelsea will surely be looking to spend a little less on somebody more reliable.
But, should Kepa leave this year, who could replace him between the sticks at Stamford Bridge?
Thomas Strakosha | 25 | SS Lazio | Albania
Having spent a world-record fee on signing Kepa, Frank Lampard’s men are surely unlikely to splash a gargantuan fee on his successor.
Despite Lazio challenging for the league title in Italy before coronavirus kicked in, the Greek-born Albanian could be looking to test his mettle in a new league.
Strakosha arrived at Lazio in 2012 as a 17-year-old from Greek side Panionios for a mere €75,000.
After impressing in a loan spell at Salernitana, he quickly made his name for the Rome-based giants and has since made over 100 Serie A appearances.
In 2019/20, the keeper has kept nine clean sheets in 26 Serie A games.
I Biancocelesti have conceded the least goals in the Italian top flight as Simone Inzaghi’s side mount a surprise title challenge, pulling ahead of Inter Milan as Juventus’ closest challenger.
The 25-year-old is also, like Kepa, a reliable passer of the ball, both when it comes to short passes and long balls. However, the Spaniard has displayed shakiness for Chelsea and Strakosha could seamlessly slot in his place, instantly improving the Blues’ defensive numbers.
With young forward Armando Broja champing at the bit to be a part of Lampard’s youthful squad at Stamford Bridge, could the fellow Albanians line up for the club together in seasons to come?
Dean Henderson | 22 | Sheffield United (on loan from Manchester United) | England
If Frank Lampard looks to continue building his squad around English youth such as Mount, Abraham, James and Hudson-Odoi, who better than Dean Henderson to stand between the sticks?
The Manchester United youngster, who is spending his second consecutive spell on loan at Sheffield United, has helped the latter become this season’s surprise package in the Premier League.
The Englishman kept a whopping 21 clean sheets in 2018/19 in the Championship and stepped his game up to have the fourth best clean sheet record in the top flight this campaign. He is only behind Brazilian heavyweights Ederson and Alisson and fellow England stopper Nick Pope.
His pass accuracy isn’t quite near the mark of his compatriots Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope but extensive work in training could make him into one of the Premier League’s top stoppers.
At just 29, David de Gea could be first-choice for the Red Devils for the next three to four years at least and Henderson will surely look elsewhere for game time.
Whatever the fee they would pay, Chelsea could have a guaranteed number one for the next decade at least.
Mike Maignan | 24 | Lille OSC | France
Paris Saint-Germain have produced some incredible youngsters over the past ten years and Lille keeper Mike Maignan is no different.
The French Guiana-born stopper has impressed since joining Les Dogues from PSG’s academy in 2015, inevitably to replace long-term starter Vincent Enyeama. Maignan has gone above and beyond in doing so.
The Frenchman won Best Goalkeeper in Ligue 1 in 2018/19 and has continued his red-hot form this campaign. His side have conceded only 27 goals this season; just three fewer than league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
It is clear to see why Didier Deschamps called him up for France’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.
With Mourinho keen to reel him in at Tottenham and Manchester United sniffing, it could be Chelsea’s time to pounce.
Vicente Guaita | 33 | Crystal Palace | Spain
It’s certainly a rogue shout but Crystal Palace’s veteran keeper Vicente Guaita would solve a problem for a season or two at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard, 33, joined the Eagles from Getafe on a free deal in 2018 and has quickly made his name as one of the most reliable stoppers in the league.
The Valencian has picked up nine clean sheets this season; the same as Man City’s Ederson and better than compatriot David de Gea of United.
It’s currently unclear as to whether Willy Caballero will see his contract extended beyond the summer, so Chelsea may be on the hunt for two keepers come the next transfer window. That discussion, however, is for another day.
In your opinion, who is the best candidate to replace Kepa at Chelsea?
Have your say in the comments section below.
Article by: George Hartley
Formatted by: Samuel Slaney
Thumbnail by: Samuel Slaney
Images interpreted from: Getty Images, SS Lazio & Footy Renders