KEPA ARRIZABALAGA will seek talks with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as he faces up to an uncertain future.
The Spanish keeper’s loan at Real Madrid is up after he slipped to third in the reckoning behind Ukrainian Andriy Lunin and fit-again Thibaut Courtois.
Kepa, 29, has just one season left on the world record £72.1 million deal that took him to Chelsea in 2018 but is now at a crossroads.
There may be a chance of staying in Madrid with no2 stopper Lunin unhappy at being overlooked for last weekend’s Champions League final and open to offers to move.
The arrival of new man Maresca at Stamford Bridge also means there may be a way back into the Premier League – but Kepa would only return if he gets guarantees of game time.
That would require a heart-to-heart with new Chelsea head coach Maresca when the Italian returns from holiday later this month.
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Madrid would be happy to give Kepa another 12 months with a fresh loan or secure him on a free transfer.
But that seems unlikely with Chelsea looking to raise cash through players sales.
His only other options are to find an alternative club or see out the remaining 12 months of his contract before leaving on a Bosman free transfer at the end of next season.
A source said: “The uncertainty over Chelsea’s next manager has put everything on hold for a couple of weeks.
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“Kepa also wanted to make the most of winning LaLiga, The Spanish Supercup and of course the Champions League.
“He will need to talk to Maresca and see what the future holds.
“He would be happy in Madrid or in London. If Lunin leaves Madrid that could make it easier for everyone.”
Kepa has now won the Champions League twice having also been part of the triumphant Chelsea side of 2021 which beat Manchester City in Porto.
Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
