Aware that Chelsea needs to have the focused and performing players on the field, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard continues to keep Kepa Arrizabalaga in cold storage. The 25-year-old was not part of the starting unit when the Blues faced Leicester City. Chelsea won, 2-1.
The Blues return to action on Monday when they host Manchester United. As of this writing, Lampard has kept everything close to his chest. He has already made a decision, and most will only to get to see that when they take the field against the Red Devils.
The good news from all of this is that Lampard is impressed at how Kepa is dealing with the demotion. The 41-year-old believes that what he is doing will be for Kepa's own good, reasoning that any player should expect to be dropped at some point in their career. In a report from Goal.com, Lampard allegedly told Kepa that the only way to get back his starting position is through hard work.
"Everyone has these things and you can’t pull the wool over their eyes or be too sweet about it, because it is what it is. The only thing I ever found that got me back into the team or through a moment was hard work on the training ground," Lampard said in a press conference.
Lampard believes that Kepa's current predicament will only make him stronger. After several sub-par performances, there is no question that the Chelsea manager wants the world's most expensive goalkeeper to do some soul-searching and get himself back on track.
"It is not easy, I'm saying this as a manager, I know as a player I was not brilliant at this myself, but from where I am sitting now I try and push that, and I think sometimes it can be something that makes you stronger. Most people get it at some point in their careers. So it is what it is," he added.
A surprise change could happen against United, although Willy Caballero is holding up fine. They will be in for a tough match against Manchester United, with several players indisposed. Among those out include Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Tammy Abraham is questionable, meaning things are just not going to be easy for Lampard and the Blues. Hence, seeing Kepa back in action this Monday may seem low, but a surprise reinstatement by Lampard on the 25-year-old remains a possibility.
