Kepa Arrizabalaga’s return to Spain could face an abrupt end, as reports suggest Real Madrid are unlikely to sign the goalkeeper on a permanent basis.
- Kepa arrived as emergency Courtois replacement
- Shaky performances see him competing for place
- Madrid unlikely to make move permanent
Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Spanish international arrived on loan from Chelsea as an emergency replacement for Thibaut Courtois when the Belgian suffered a serious knee injury in August. But after an injury of his own, Kepa has found himself fighting for the starting job in Madrid with Andriy Lunin.
Lunin was preferred despite Kepa’s return to fitness after some assured performances, but coach Carlo Ancelotti reinstated Kepa for the final two games of the year and stated that he has yet to decide who will become the first choice when the season resumes.
- Getty Images
WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID
“I don’t have the idea of rotating the goalkeepers,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of their midweek win at Alaves. “They are both doing well. Lunin has progressed a lot and shown a lot of confidence. Kepa has maintained his level too. When Kepa recovered from injury, I liked rewarding both players. I will choose one of the two in the second half of the season.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The €80 million (£70m/$88m) Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao for the services of Kepa in 2018 remains a world record fee for a goalkeeper by some margin. But the Basque native has struggled to fulfil his potential both at club and international levels. A fresh start in Madrid began well with Kepa making a number of good saves, but doubts over his aerial ability and the command of his penalty area mean a permanent stay in the Spanish capital is highly unlikely according to reports in AS.
WHAT NEXT FOR KEPA?
The 29-year-old will be nervously awaiting Ancelotti’s first line-up of the new year when Madrid host Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 3.
