Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes that his former club’s £71 million signing of Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga is ‘one hell of a statement.’
The Stamford Bridge clubs move for the 23-year-old Spain international is now expected to allow their current number one Thibaut Courtois to finally conclude his £35 million transfer to Real Madrid.
While few in England may have heard of Arrizabalaga, or Kepa as he is more commonly referred, Schwarzer reckons that shelling out a World Record fee for a goalkeeper to replace Courtois is a massive show of intent by Chelsea.
“It is one hell of a statement to spend that sort of money on a ‘keeper,” Schwarzer told Sky Sports The Debate.
“From the outside, there is little known about him, other than Real [Madrid] showed a lot of interest in him last year.
“And for whatever reason, that deal did not happen. And now Chelsea have been forced into going out and finding a replacement for Courtois.”