La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao are reportedly considering re-signing Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer, with the goalkeeper facing an uncertain future at Chelsea.
As per a report from The Sun, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is being monitored by former club Athletic Bilbao with his future in West London thrown into doubt after manager Frank Lampard dropped him for the club’s last Premier League clash against Leicester City.
Chelsea signed Kepa from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018, for a world-record fee of £71.6 million. But, the Spaniard has had difficulties during his stint in England, especially in the ongoing campaign, during which he has conceded 43 goals in 31 matches across all competitions, managing just six clean sheets in the process.
Kepa has had to cop a lot of criticism from fans and pundits for his dodgy displays in the Chelsea goal, especially in the games against Newcastle United and Arsenal. The Blues’ boss, Frank Lampard, had issued a warning to the Spaniard last month saying, “Kepa will be honest there have been some mistakes that have cost us goals. It is the nature of it, so that needs to improve.”
Lampard then went ahead and dropped the 25-year-old Spanish international for Chelsea’s league game against Leicester City. Stand-in goalkeeper Willy Caballero did not make the greatest of impressions as the Blues played out a 2-2 draw.
But, the report states that Lampard is set to put his faith in the veteran goalkeeper for the rest of the season and is open to offloading Kepa, casting doubts over the Spaniard’s future in England. A source close to Kepa told The Sun, “He was shocked at being benched but is determined to fight for his future.”
This development has reportedly put Kepa’s former club Athletic Bilbao on high-alert, with the Basque outfit now considering the possibility of re-signing the custodian. The 25-year-old is a product of the Athletic Bilbao academy and made 54 first-team appearances, before leaving the club for Chelsea in 2018.
Athletic Bilbao are reportedly monitoring the situation closely and if Kepa’s fortunes don’t improve by the end of the season, they are willing to launch a summer move for the 25-year-old. However, any potential return to San Mames for the goalkeeper is likely to be hampered by his £170,000-a-week wages.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Kepa, who is contracted with Chelsea till 2025. But, for now the Spaniard will be aiming to reclaim his position in the Blues’ goal with his place in the Spanish national team at stake ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020.
