Since the signing of Edouard Mendy in 2020, Kepa Arrizabalaga has had to make do with being Chelsea's second choice between the sticks. Kepa's up and down career at Stamford Bridge since completing his record £71.6 million was cemented to be limited in minutes from that moment and has continued in that fashion under Thomas Tuchel despite taking his opportunity when Mendy was at the African Cup of Nations.
The 27-year-old featured 15 times in 2021/22, recording eight clean sheets in those games and was the hero in several penalty shootouts over the course of the season. Kepa has become the perfect backup goalkeeper in many respects, but it is not a role befitting his seven-year deal and £190,000 per week wage.
Indeed, while the goalkeeper has some affection for Chelsea, the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper understandably wants to play more frequently. With a World Cup later this year, that may be a bigger priority than usual.
