Frank Lampard discusses Kepa's Chelsea future amid Jan Oblak transfer links

Pool via REUTERS
Tom Doyle26 July 2020

Frank Lampard will assess Chelsea's goalkeeping situation once their season is fully completed after the Blues boss dropped No.1 Kepa Arrizabalaga against Wolves.

Kepa joined Chelsea from Atletic Bilbao for £71million in 2018, becoming the most expensive keeper in the world - but his future has been the subject of speculation in recent months.

Inconsistent form has led to doubts as to whether Lampard views the Spaniard as Chelsea's long-term No.1, and the 25-year-old was dropped for their key game against Wolves on the final day of the Premier League season.

With Chelsea's Champions League hopes at stake, Lampard put his trust in Willy Caballero as Kepa watches on from the sidelines.

Altetico Madrid's Jan Oblak has been linked with a big switch to Stamford Bridge, though his £107million release clause would likely mean Chelsea having to offer Kepa in a cash-plus-player swap deal.

AFP via Getty Images

Refusing to let Kepa be the focus of Chelsea's defensive shortcomings this term, Lampard insisted he will put aside the club's goalkeeper situation until after the FA Cup final against Arsenal and the Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.

"The idea that we haven't kept enough clean sheets is definitely not just a reflection of our goalkeeper," said Lampard.

"That's something that we have to work on as a team, look at how we train, maybe how we recruit generally going forward.

"But I don't want to pinpoint it on Kepa today.

"That was a decision today probably on recent form, recent situations for him, he's had a tough time.

"And I felt Willy coming in off the back of a good performance against Manchester United last week would be what we needed today.

PA

"So I don't want to jump forward beyond the Arsenal game next week. It would be wrong.

"The squad is really strong as we are and I want it to stay that way for one more week domestically and then going to Bayern Munich. Looking forward to next season will happen after that."