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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Chelsea: Kepa issues damning verdict on the future under Todd Boehly-Clearlake

Kepa Arrizabalaga has issued a damning verdict on Chelsea's project Todd Boehly-Clearlake takeover.

The club once again saw a staggering overhaul of players across the transfer window - the third since the takeover - with over £400million spent to take the total outlay to over £1billion since the consortium took control. New manager Mauricio Pochettino has overseen just one league win this season, over newly promoted Luton Town.

Kepa was expected to become first-choice keeper again following Edouard Mendy's exit, but has now revealed he was pushing to leave after growing disillusioned by the direction of the club. Robert Sanchez, brought as back-up, as now taken up the mantle.

The Spaniard has since gone on loan to Real Madrid for the season, so remains on Chelsea's books, but just weeks into his temporary move away has publicly declared his desire to extend his spell and not return to Stamford Bridge.

Staying away: Kepa (REUTERS)

"My intention is to stay [with Real Madrid] for more than a year," Kepa told Spanish outlet COPE.

"It only took a couple of calls because when Real Madrid call, it is different. I felt the Chelsea project was not the right one."

Asked by Marca if he rejected Bayern, Kepa added: "Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid call you, it's easy. I've faced Real three times with Chelsea.

"When I arrived at Bernabeu I always turned left, to the visiting dressing room, but I wanted to turn right, to local dressing room!"

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