Rob Green has hailed Kepa Arrizabalaga’s impact at Chelsea.
Following the departure of Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, the Blues triggered the £71m release clause of the former Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper. The 24 year old took very little time to adjust himself with the difficult nature of English football and has been the preferred choice for Maurizio Sarri in the goal.
The Spaniard got off to a great start to his Chelsea career and has done pretty well as he kept 23 clean sheets so far with one game to play. With the London giants set to face their rival Arsenal in the Europa League final the custodian could finish the season on a high note with a major trophy.
Green said, “Kepa for his first season in the Premier League has had a fantastic season, and one that he will get stronger off the back of,”
“The demands. He’s a young guy. The amount of football he has played, all of a sudden he has gone into a season where he has played probably 50 games, more than 50 games. And it’s not just the games themselves, he’s going away for internationals, he’s travelling all round Europe to play these games.”
“And the intensity of the games, and the spotlight of the games is far greater. He has managed that and maintained his performance throughout. His talent was there – it doesn’t take an expert to see that. But I think what don’t you realise when you’re out of it is the demands it has on someone who is still a young lad.”