FA Cup: Tuchel to throw Kepa into the ring against Barnsley

 

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is to step for his first action under new boss Thomas Tuchel in today’s FA Cup clash against Bramsley.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was signed for £71m from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, has made just six appearances for Chelsea this season after falling behind Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the pecking order to be number one.

But Tuchel who is trying a whole lot of things to achieve a turn around at the Stamford Bridge moved to hand embattled Kepa Arrizabalaga a “new start” at Chelsea.

Tuchel confirmed that the Spaniard will start in Thursday (Today’s) FA Cup  fifth-round trip to Barnsley.

Tuchel has continued with Mendy as first choice after replacing Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, but has now insisted Kepa can still rebuild his career in west London.

“It’s very important for me to say this: he doesn’t have to overachieve,” said Tuchel.

“I want him to play a normal match tomorrow. He does not have to show me or anybody else tomorrow he is ready to be Spain’s number one in the summer.

“He just has to show his quality. Not more or less. So we have to manage expectations because I don’t expect him to score and keep a clean sheet.

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“I just want him to help us with his quality and for him to give a solid performance to help the team. He has big goals to achieve and big personal ambition. But this is normal; it’s why he’s here.

“No goalkeeper wants to sit on the bench, I understand that. And none of my guys want to travel tomorrow to sit on the bench.

“From inside I see a nice guy, I see a nice personality, an open personality, a hard-working guy, with obviously a lot of quality.