Harry Diamond
Frank Lampard says Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga will have to ‘deal with’ criticism of his recent performances, the under-fire goalkeeper having struggled for form in recent weeks.
The Spanish international has been subjected to hefty criticism for his recent performances following a series of mistakes, the 25-year-old beaten with both of Arsenal‘s shots on targets during the 2-2 draw between the clubs at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
The goalkeeper’s poor showing was part of a worrying run of form during the opening months of the campaign, the £71.6m signing having the lowest save percentage of all Premier League goalkeepers to have played regularly so far this season.
Chelsea broke the world transfer record for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Of 132 goalkeepers in Europe's top seven leagues, he's 127th in save percentage.
He's bottom in this category out of all Premier League goalkeepers.#CFC pic.twitter.com/OwoZHOb7Rs
— bet365 (@bet365) January 21, 2020
Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Championship side Hull, Lampard confirmed reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero will start as usual for cup competition, but says first-choice Kepa will have to deal with the pressure of the ‘spotlight’ currently on him in the coming weeks.
“He will have to deal with that. That’s what being a footballer is about,” the Chelsea boss told his pre-match press conference.
“There is spotlight on them. The important thing for that is not to get embroiled in what people are saying, not just Kepa but any player.
“I am not looking at strengthening that position now. Kepa knows and is honest that there have been some mistakes.”
Read – Lampard bemoans Chelsea’s ‘same old story’ in front of goal
See also – The seven goalkeepers with the most assists in Premier League history