Costly Chelsea star 'not the right guy' for Potter as Blues urged to make summer transfer splash (original) (raw)
Chelsea have been told that they should look to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer after claiming that the Blues stopper should have saved Everton’s late equaliser at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Graham Potter’s men looked on course to make it four wins on the bounce after Kai Havertz had restored Chelsea’s lead with a penalty with 14 minutes to go before Ellis Simms scored his first goal for the club to earn the visitors a crucial point in their bid to beat the drop.
Simms skipped past Kalidou Koulibaly before beating Arrizabalaga from a tight angle, with his strike going through the Blues keeper.
The Spain international cost Chelsea £72million when he moved from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. However, former Watford keeper Ben Foster doubts whether Kepa is good enough to carry on as the club’s No.1.
“‘Let’s talk about Everton’s equaliser because I think Kepa should save it,” Foster said on his YouTube channel. “A top goalkeeper saves that.
“This is a big moment, we’re in injury-time so if he saves that, it’s 2-1, three points, boom, everyone is happy. These are the fine margins but I think a top goalie has to save that.
“It’s a slightly awkward one so I’ve got a bit of sympathy but you need to make those big saves. He fell a little bit short.
“I don’t think Kepa is the right guy for it, full stop. I don’t think he’s the long-term solution.
“I think at the end of the season either Mendy will get fit and get back in the team or they will need to go into the market and sign somebody.
“They spent £70m on Kepa by the way and £25m on Mendy, that’s almost £100m on goalkeepers.”
Kepa could be on borrowed time at Chelsea
Foster was not the only one to criticise Kepa for Everton’s equaliser, with Jamie Redknapp telling Sky Sports after the game: “The keeper, it’s so poor.
“He doesn’t make nearly enough saves for me. Simms just bends in to the corner but the keeper should do better.”
The point for Chelsea leaves them sitting 10th in the table with 11 games still to play.
However, the chances of Champions League football look slim to none, with the Blues 11 points off fourth spot as it stands.
Potter’s men are back in action on April 1 when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League.