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Chelsea custodian handed time frame to improve by Lampard

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has reportedly given goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga four months to prove himself at Stamford Bridge before he replaces the Spaniard. 

Kepa has been under severe criticism in recent weeks for several errors that have cost the Blues. 

The worst part about the Spaniard is that he has the lowest save percentage among any regular Premier League starter in the entire league. 

The Blues have conceded goals from 16% of the shots which they have faced this year. No team has conceded at a higher rate since the stat was first tracked in 2003.

The Telegraph says that Lampard is well aware of the struggles the Spaniard is facing but Chelsea have now started to consider options. 

Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, who has been very impressive for Sheffield United this season, are considered to be the prime targets.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Image Courtesy: Bleacher Report)

When asked about the possibility of replacing Kepa, Lampard said,” I am not looking at it now. I am not affected by criticism from outside as much. 

"I am aware of it, not affected by it. It is what I want for the team and I think Kepa knows. He’ll be honest that there have been mistakes that have cost us goals. It is the nature of it, so that needs to improve.”

Lampard also said that criticism is the part and parcel of the game and even the best players have to go through it. 

He accepted the fact that the goalkeepers are judged more and are under the radar more compared to the other positions. This is why it is important to keep your head down and keep working.

For any player, it’s the basics that need to be focused more on. As of now, backup goalkeeper Willy Caballero is set to start Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Hull City. 

It will be an interesting call to find out whether Kepa is again used or is kept benched by Lampard for the clash against Leicester. 

 

featured image credits- goal.com

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