Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has definitely lost faith in Spaniard goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga. Two years ago, Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge under a superstar wage, as he’s been signed as the most expensive goalkeeper in football history until nowadays.
However, the inexperienced keeper has been failing constantly, as the Blues from Stamford have a clear deficiency at the back. The Blues have conceded 58 Premier League goals this season, which is more than anything else within the top ten.
This made Lampard start monitor the market, looking for a number one that can get the job done and keep the ball out of the back of the Blue net. After sounding out the likes of Ajax’s Andre Onana, and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, the name should be Burnley’s Nick Pope.
Even though Pope has been goalkeeping for a relatively weak Premier League side, he’s been a Premier League surprise, as he is fighting against Man City’s Ederson for the Premier League Golden Glove award of the term.
Not only Lampard and Chelsea have been in touch with Pope and his agents, but even England National Team’s manager Gareth Southgate has been considering to have Pope as England’s number one.
In order to afford the Clarets goalie, Chelsea will likely try to sell Kepa and send him back to some La Liga club. There’s also a possibility of sending him back in a loan deal, that would make a good financial relief due to his wages, but Lampard intends to get rid of the Spaniard as soon as possible.
I mean, there are clubs interested in former Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, why wouldn’t someone refuse Kepa?
In the current Premier League season, Pope has goalkeeping Burnley in all 37 games, counting on 15 clean-sheets.
I personally rate Nick Pope, and I’m pretty sure that he has all the potential to become the next Petr Cech at the Blues.