Fabrizio Romano reveals Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed his loan move to Real Madrid
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea No. 1 goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed his loan transfer to Real Madrid despite interest from Bayern Munich.
The Spanish goalkeeper will replace Thibaut Courtois, who sustained an ACL injury during a training session and is set to miss a large amount of the current season.
However, Kepa’s move to Real Madrid includes no obligation to buy, as he has joined them on a short-term deal which will see the 28-year-old return to Chelsea next season.
The former Athletic Bilbao stopper was bought for a world record transfer worth £71.6 million in 2018 but failed to remain consistent for us between the sticks. Edouard Mendy had a good couple of years alongside the Spaniard when it came to goalkeeper competition.
But after the Senegal international’s exit, Kepa remained as our No. 1 That could change since Robert Sanchez’s arrival but the Blues will also explore the market for Kepa’s backup, as we currently don’t have competition for the former Brighton & Hove Albion star.
Kepa has been regarded as surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino. And for good reason. He isn’t brilliant with the ball at his feet, is error-prone, and isn’t the most confident goalkeeper around when it comes to balls being floated into his box. He is a balanced goalkeeper but doesn’t specialise in any single area.
We should have parted company with him permanently or backed him for this season instead of sending him to Real Madrid on loan, where he is certain to return next season. He just hasn’t been convincing over the years. But one can understand this move.
When Real Madrid come calling, it is hard for players to turn them down. For us, it is a chance to get Kepa’s wages off the books and sign someone on a potentially lower salary.
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It has to be seen whether Sanchez is an improvement over Kepa or a downgrade, but he is a competent custodian as well. Time will tell if the new goalkeeper that is brought is on loan or a permanent basis and if they are good enough to challenge for the No. 1 spot or are backup from the get-go.