"Kepa is not in a nice situation, but it is not the end of the world," Spain boss Luis Enrique declared in a press conference two years ago.
"It's the ideal moment for him to rise again, for us to see what Kepa is made of. What he is going through at Chelsea now is something that happens to all players throughout their careers."
With one month to go before the World Cup, Kepa Arrizabalaga's rise is firmly underway. The 28-year-old has not been involved in a Spain squad since 2020 and has fallen behind Premier League rivals in the form of David Raya and Leon Sanchez, but the Chelsea goalkeeper is ensuring his argument is firmly heard ahead of Enrique's squad announcement.
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The former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper has had to settle with being Chelsea's second-choice goalkeeper in the last two seasons, and even with some impressive outings when Edouard Mendy was on AFCON duty and cup competitions, little changed in his stature. Playing time to show his quality would always come at a premium.
Chelsea's £71 million signing had a good relationship with Thomas Tuchel and believed he had improved significantly since joining the Blues despite his time on the bench. While Kepa never complained publically to force a move, the Spaniard made it clear that playing time was on his mind.
He told Marca in July: "Right now, I am a Chelsea player, but what I am clear about is that I want to play more because I come from a year or two where, when I have played, I have had a great performance."
Getting back into contention for the national team was at the forefront of Kepa's mind.
He said: "The radar of the 'mister' is wide. He has always shown it. He is open to everything, and what he likes, he selects. I know him well. Before this year and a half, in which I haven't always played for my club, Luis Enrique took me to all the calls, and I know what he likes in goal. He is very clear about it."
"That is what I want," Kepa added, "Play more in my club and return to the National Team. But it is perhaps one more question for him. I do tell him that, on a personal level, another of my goals is to return to La Roja. Keep in mind that I have been in the National Team from 17 to 26 years old without ever missing, without knowing what a national team break is at home. Lately, I've had these breaks, and I don't like them."
His world record fee when arriving at Stamford Bridge ultimately proved prohibitive to any deal, but a knee injury to Mendy provided an opportunity, and Kepa has given new head coach Graham Potter no reason to doubt his abilities so far. The goalkeeper notched his 50th Chelsea clean sheet at the weekend and now has four in seven appearances this term.
While the Blues' form has been good under Potter, it has not come without challenges, and Aston Villa presented one of the hardest. Unbelievable saves from Kepa ensured Chelsea earned three points and proved to any outside that he has not always been protected by the ability in front of him.
Mendy would have been expected to replace Kepa when fit or, at the very least, enter a rotation with him. Kepa instead has played in each of Potter's matches in charge, and his performance against the Villains cemented his place in Chelsea's starting XI.
While the chance of Kepa making Spain's World Cup squad may seem slight, the prospect has remained on Kepa's mind as recently as this month. He told AS: "It is in my head, and hopefully, I can come back soon. I can't tell you that (if I can make the World Cup squad) because it's a question for him (coach Luis Enrique), but I'm sure it's easier playing than not playing. I work for that, for when the coach needs me and like against Milan to try to respond and win games."
His competition may not have fallen out of form, but Kepa could present a wildcard option for Enrique's squad. Knockout football awaits, and the Ondarroa-born shot-stopper has a speciality others may not. Kepa has saved more penalties in shootouts than any other Chelsea goalkeeper and was identified as the Blues' best option even when Mendy was firmly the first choice.
Kepa will not have given up hope of travelling to Qatar in November, and the words of his national team coach will give him hope until the squad is named. Even after Spain's last matches before the World Cup, Enrique said: "I don't have a clear list [for the World Cup]. It will be very difficult for me to decide, but that's why I'm the coach."
The Blues goalkeeper has managed to earn playing time without the transfer many thought required. Many considered that the only barrier for him to make the Los Rojos squad. If Kepa continues in the same vein, he will be hard to deny.
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