Chelsea assistant coach Zsolt Low has admitted that Kepa Arrizabalaga’s performance in their Club World Cup victory over Al Hilal has caused a selection headache.
Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game to set up a meeting with Palmeiras in Saturday’s final, but the Blues had to rely on Kepa to produce a top class save to deny Moussa Marega in the second half.
The Spanish stopper has been in fine form recently, also saving an extra time penalty against Plymouth Argyle to help Chelsea progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
However, the club’s recognised No.1 Edouard Mendy has joined his teammates in Abu Dhabi fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Low praised Kepa’s recent performances, but also revealed that no decision has been made on which goalkeeper will start in Saturday’s final.
“In the cup he [Kepa] did a big performance to save the penalty," he told reporters in his post-match press conference.
“Today when we needed him he was there and made one big save. He's in very good shape. He plays and trains well. We're lucky to have him.
“In the next days we have to decide who plays the final. We're waiting for Thomas' [Tuchel] opinion and the goalkeeping coaches before we take the decision for the final."
Blues boss Tuchel hasn’t travelled with the squad after testing positive for Covid, however Low is hopeful he will be able to join them in Abu Dhabi for Saturday’s showdown with Palmeiras.
He added: “We hope Thomas can travel as soon as possible. As I said before he'll follow government rules. He's in isolation now and doing a Covid PCR test every day. Once he tests negative it opens the possibility to travel. Every day we wait for it. We wish he can come to enjoy the final.”
