When Chelsea splashed a world record £71.6 million on goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer of 2018, they probably thought they were signing a long-term replacement for Petr Cech.The young Spaniard had impressed during his two seasons as Athletic Bilbao’s No.1 and, at the age of 23, had the potential to be Chelsea’s goalkeeper for the next decade.In truth, his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge wasn’t bad.He kept 14 clean sheets from his 36 Premier League appearances, conceding 39 goals.Other than an incredible bust-up with manager Maurizio Sarri during the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City where he refused to be substituted, it was a fairly promising campaign.However, this season has been nothing short of disastrous for Kepa.
During his 33 Premier League games, he’s let in 47 goals. His save percentage of just 55.4% leaves him 127th out of 132 goalkeepers in Europe’s top seven leagues.But that stat is positive compared to a one uncovered by Twitter user @ThumbsUpFlag.Using data from reputable stats website fbref.com, Kepa’s save percentage has been compared to the 729 goalkeepers who have played 10 or more matches in England’s top-flight.Kepa’s position? 730th out of 730.
Wow.
But there are some more shockingly bad stats from Kepa’s 2019/20 season.
He has conceded 8% of all the goals scored against Chelsea in Premier League history. He’s only been in goal for two years, while the Premier League has been running for 28 seasons now.
It doesn’t stop there, though.
Of the 47 goals he’s conceded in the league this season, he DIDN’T MOVE for 30% of them. No wonder his save percentage isn’t particularly good…
And it’s also no real surprise to hear Frank Lampard is looking to replace Kepa this summer.
Sky Sports report that the club are looking at the likes of Jan Oblak, Andre Onana and Nick Pope with Willy Caballero set to start in this weekend’s FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Following Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat to Liverpool last week, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher questioned why the Blues were signing so many attacking players when they really need to replace Kepa.
"I know they keep buying a lot of attackers but you see how many goals they have conceded. I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper, if I am being totally honest," Carragher insisted.
"It is an area that - if they want to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City - they will have to rectify in the summer."