Frank Lampard has said that he has been really impressed with Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during his brief time as Blues boss.
The 24-year-old has impressed since becoming the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in the summer of 2018, and has recently been selected ahead of David de Gea for Spain’s national squad.
Chelsea‘s 2-0 win over Brighton at the weekend was the first time that the South West London outfit had kept a clean sheet since Frank Lampard’s appointment as manager in the summer, and the former midfielder has admitted that he has been “really impressed” by the Blues’ number one.
“After the clean sheet on Saturday, the person I was happiest for was Kepa,” Lampard said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Lille.
“Even though it’s a team issue, goalkeepers pride themselves on clean sheets. One of the things I have seen since working with Kepa is that he is a very determined individual, he wants to improve every day. He is very focused and I love that.
Great three points and clean sheet!! Keep working and focus on the wednesday game!
???????????????? @jorginhofrello @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/8NeZWjWc5H
— Kepa Arrizabalaga (@kepa_46) September 28, 2019
“His confidence shouldn’t go down. The clean sheets are not always his own responsibility, but also when he thinks they might have been his responsibility, he is very open to accept that fact and work to improve.
“I have been really impressed with him. He’s managed to become Spain’s number one which when you think about who he’s competing with at that level is very serious.
“He is a great age for us in terms of where he’s at in his career. He grew as last season went on to help Chelsea win games, and I think he is growing again now. I am very happy with him as a player.
“If anything I can say in his role and his status within the group, he can become a bit more vocal because that’s what great goalkeepers do.”
Read: Lampard urges ‘maximum’ concentration as Chelsea travel to Lille in the Champions League
See also: Chelsea’s highest ever goalscorers in the Champions League
Will Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount or Callum Hudson-Odoi join this illustrious list in future? #cfc #ucl https://t.co/5gSqpUqSpG pic.twitter.com/WsgqNkWUNy
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) October 2, 2019
