FRANK LAMPARD confirmed Edouard Mendy will miss Chelsea’s game with Southampton tomorrow but refused to name Kepa as his replacement.
The Blues’ new stopper got injured on international duty with Senegal and will likely be out for two weeks.
Edouard Mendy will miss Chelsea’s game with Southampton on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
But Lampard remained coy on who would take his place at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier today, Lampard said: “Mendy won’t be fit for the match tomorrow.
“We hope it won’t be too long.”
Quickly pressed on whether Spanish outcast Kepa or alternative backup Willy Caballero would step in, Lampard kept his cards close to his chest.
He simply replied: “I’ll make that decision myself for tomorrow.”
The Blues host Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday before a Premier League trip to Old Trafford next Saturday so will be without their first choice keeper for two huge games after this weekend.
Mendy picked up a thigh injury during Senegal training ahead of their friendly defeat against Morocco last Friday.
And he headed straight back to London to start his recovery at Cobham.
Lampard also gave updates on Chelsea’s other new signings.
He added: “Thiago Silva after his trip is not ready to play because of the travelling.
“Chilwell is in the squad. He has got over some of the feeling he had in his foot.
“Pulisic and Ziyech are in the squad. Ziyech not it to start, but hopefully to get some minutes.”
The £22m man Mendy has impressed in his first two Chelsea games against Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
The Blues splashed out a world record fee of £71.5m for Kepa from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 but he has struggled for form since.
He was dropped on several occasions last season but the 26-year-old is refusing to let it get him down.
Frank Lampard refused to say whether Kepa would play insteadCredit: Reuters
The Blues boss will choose between Kepa and alternative backup Willy Caballero Credit: AFP or licensors
Speaking on international duty with Spain recently, he said: “I feel good, strong, and confident.
“Perhaps it is not a dream situation, but during the soccer career sometimes you have to live moments like this.
“I’m confident I can turn it around and do my best when I play.
“We all want to play. But I don’t think about anything beyond the day-to-day life and focusing on the national team’s matches.
“We have three matches and my focus is on them.
“In the life of a footballer there are ups and downs, but in the end what is in my hands is to work.”
Chelsea vs Southampton Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Premier League clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
