Graham Potter wants Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga to fight it out for Chelsea’s No1 shirt rather than making an early decision on who his first-choice goalkeeper is.
Kepa looked likely to leave the club for large periods of the summer transfer window, with it clear that Mendy was Thomas Tuchel’s preferred goalkeeper and the Spaniard limited to the occasional appearance in cup competitions.
However, the past month has helped reignite Kepa’s Chelsea career, with Tuchel sacked and Mendy kept out of the side with a knee injury. It has led to Kepa starting the last three matches, producing solid displays despite conceding in all those games.
With Mendy back in training ahead of the Blues’ Champions League clash against AC Milan on Wednesday night, Potter will have to decide whether to bring back the Senegal international or carry on using Kepa.
“If you look at what we’ve got over the next six weeks, it’s an incredible schedule,” Potter said.
“We are in no rush to label anyone a No1 or a No2 or anything like that.
“Firstly, I want to help Kepa play and enjoy his football like he did against Crystal Palace. I want to help Eddie get fit and ready to play which he has done so far.
“We’ve got two goalkeepers and in an ideal world, we want football to decide. We’ve got two ones that we believe in and that’s a good situation for us.”
