Mauricio Pochettino has told Kepa Arrizabalaga to “fight” for his spot as Chelsea’s No1 goalkeeper after signing Robert Sanchez last week.
Sanchez will compete with Kepa, who is now Chelsea’s longest-serving player, after joining in a £25million move from Brighton, replacing Edouard Mendy who joined Al-Ahli in June.
Pochettino has described Kepa as “a bit ahead” of his new teammate before Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday given that Sanchez joined after the club’s pre-season tour.
The Chelsea boss said: “It’s going to be very good competition. We needed to sign another [goalkeeper]. The club followed him for a long time and it was a good opportunity for the club to sign him, and a good challenge for Kepa.
“Kepa is, [after] three, four weeks working with us, a little bit ahead of him. Like in all different players, it is a challenge for them to keep their place if they play on Sunday.
“For the players not going to play they need to fight to catch the teammates playing in their place.
“That is competition and for sure will improve both Chelsea and the two very good keepers who fight for the position.”
Bayern Munich have made a loan bid for Kepa, with an option for a permanent transfer, and Real Madrid are monitoring the Spain international after they suffered long-term injuries to respective No1s Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois.
Pochettino hasn’t spoken to Kepa about the renewed competition for places amid a host of interest in his goalkeeper. He added: “No, they are clever enough.
“If you are not clever, maybe we need to explain the situation but I think in football, he is mature, Robert also, they are very mature. They know they are going to fight to be No1.”
