Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Napoli
Marcus Chan
Chelsea are set to loan out one of their most expensive signings ever after the player endured a disastrous time at Stamford Bridge.
The player in question is Spanish goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. According to Italian news outlet Di Marzio, Chelsea are close to finalising a deal with Serie A side Napoli which will see Kepa spend the 22/23 season on loan in Italy.
However, it is believed that Chelsea will still have to pay a large chunk of the Spaniard’s wages as Napoli were not willing to meet his entire pay package.
It has been reported that the Blues will pay 75% of Kepa’s wages. The stopper is currently on a weekly wage of £150,000, meaning Chelsea will pay him £112,500 a week to play in Serie A this season.
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Kepa is Chelsea’s joint second most expensive player after the Blues forked out £72 million to lure him away from Atletico Bilbao, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in football history.
Big money came with huge expectations, but it soon became clear that Kepa would not be able to meet those expectations. He recorded some of the worst goalkeeping stats across Europe’s top five leagues during his time at Chelsea.
Kepa also made unwanted headlines during the 18/19 EFL Cup final against Manchester City after refusing to leave the pitch, going against his manager’s wish to sub on Willy Caballero ahead of the penalty shootout. Kepa stayed on but lost the shootout 4-3 despite saving one penalty.
In 2020, Chelsea completed a deal to sign Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Stade Rennais, which sealed Kepa’s Chelsea fate as he became a back up.
Kepa has only made 11 appearances in the Premier League over the last two seasons. With the World Cup coming up later on in the year, the player is desperate to seek a move away in order to play regularly in a bid to earn a spot in Spain’s squad for the tournament in Qatar.
If Kepa is to be moved on, manager Thomas Tuchel may be forced to sign a goalkeeper to provide competition for Mendy. Former Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli is the current third choice.
Tuchel’s side will get their 22/23 Premier League campaign underway on August 6 when they travel to Goodison Park to face an Everton side managed by Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard.