CHELSEA star Kepa Arrizabalaga has gone from one of the worst goalkeepers in the Premier League to the best in just three games.
Once upon a time, Kepa had the WORST save percentage in the top flight.
The 28-year-old was also ranked 127th out of 132 keepers from Europe’s top seven leagues in save percentage.
Kepa’s attitude was also questioned when he refused to be substituted in the League Cup final, leaving then manager Maurizio Sarri fuming.
And Edouard Mendy was brought in by Frank Lampard in the summer of 2020 to stake claim to the No1 shirt.
Lampard was sacked in January 2021, but that didn’t stop the Senegal star helping the Blues win the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.
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However, he has since fallen out of favour under new boss Graham Potter, with Kepa preferred in between the sticks.
In three Premier League games, Kepa has prevented more goals than any other goalkeeper.
According to OptaJoe, the Spaniard has saved 3.2 shots that were more likely to go in, edging out Liverpool’s Alisson, who has played six more games.
His latest heroics came in Chelsea’s 2-0 away with against Aston Villa.
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Mason Mount bagged a brace, but Kepa stopped goals flying in at the other end.
The keeper made seven saves while keeping a clean sheet.
It was the most saves he has made without conceding in his top-flight league career.
To make his seven saves sound EVEN better, Kepa was expected to concede at least two goals based on the placement of the on-target shots he faced.
Potter, who now has five wins and a draw from his first six games as Blues boss, said on the keeper: “Kepa has played at a fantastic level today.
“He’s made some brilliant saves which kept us in the game and allowed us to win the points, so I’m really pleased with him.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
