Kepa Arrizabalaga admits he is not in a “dream situation” at Chelsea, with a number of costly errors seeing him lose his place in the team, but the Spanish goalkeeper claims to still feel “very good” at Stamford Bridge.
An international break is offering the 26-year-old custodian welcome respite from the negative attention he continues to attract in west London.
There were plenty of suggestions that he could be on the move before the summer transfer window slammed shut, but Monday’s deadline passed with no deal put in place.
The most expensive shot-stopper in world football claims to have no issue with that, or the fact that he has slipped back down Chelsea’s pecking order under Frank Lampard.
Costly errors have crept into Kepa’s game and he can no longer be relied upon to provide the last line of defence for his club.
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Edouard Mendy has been snapped up by the Blues and slotted into a No.1 berth.
Kepa now finds himself filling back-up duty again, a situation that is going to do his claims to a starting role for his country few favours, and patience is going to have to be shown.
Kepa is prepared to keep the faith and fight his way back into contention at Chelsea, with there no plans on his part to accept his fate and wait for a move elsewhere to eventually be pushed through.
He told reporters after linking up with Spain ahead of their upcoming friendly and UEFA Nations League fixtures: “I feel good. Strong, confident. Maybe not the dream situation. We have to experience things like this.
“I am confident to turn the situation around. When I have the opportunity to play I will try to do it the best possible.
“Obviously all the players want to play. I do not consider myself beyond the day to day. In football it is difficult to look at the medium or long term. Obviously I want to play. The closest thing is the national team and I think about that.
“I feel like a footballer every day. I feel strong, very good at the national team and very good at Chelsea. It is a great club and I feel lucky.”
Spain have a friendly date with neighbours Portugal to take in on Wednesday before then turning their attention to the Nations League and meetings with Switzerland and Ukraine.