Kepa Arrizabalaga is in favour of a US style All Star game - as long as he is in goal.
But Chelsea keeper Kepa admits fitting the North v South clash into the crowded fixture list would be a major headache. Chelsea’s US owner Todd Boehly has suggested the idea of an exhibition match to raise money for the whole of the football pyramid.
It has created huge controversy with high-profile pundits like Gary Lineker and Gary Neville mocking the idea which is hugely popular in US sport, including basketball. Kepa said: “It would be a big game. There are a lot of big players in this league, North v South. We will see.
“It is a different idea but I don’t know at what point we can play this game. So we see. I heard something but I didn’t watch too much about it. I think Todd said something? It is a completely different idea. I think we have to know a little bit more about it.”
All-Star games are staged in the US in basketball and American football. Liverpool and Manchester City would probably make up a lot of the Northern team but Kepa smiled when asked who would be on goal for the Southerners. He said: “I am!”
Kepa, who is still the world’s most expensive keeper as he cost £71.6m in 2018, and has already seen off a host of managers.
He is a really likeable guy and must now be hoping a new manager represents a new chance for him to nail down the No1 place at Chelsea with Edouard Mendy currently out injured.
It was a disappointing start to Graham Potter’s new reign with a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg to leave them both of Group E but Kepa says there were still positives.
Kepa said: “It was a Champions League game at home so we expect to win that is for sure. A new manager, new ideas, a few crazy days in the last few days and we wanted to start well. Start strong and be in front and then control and use the frustration to press higher.
“We did it - we had chances to score more goals. We did a lot of positive things, obviously there is frustration because we drew and we needed the points. But we are going in the right way, we are improving. This new manager, new ideas so it is just the beginning.
“It is only two or three training sessions with him. So it is just the beginning. But we saw positive things. A good point to start. He is very positive in his mind. He tries to give us positivity. We changed a couple of things in the line up and the structure. So we have to adjust to that. Thinking, watching and understanding how we play.
“We are sad because Thomas achieved big things with us. We had a very good time with him. And now with Graham we have a new start, different ideas. So let’s train, let’s take the ideas quickly and now we have a couple of weeks without a game.”
Kepa is also relishing the chance to try and stake a claim with the new boss. He added: “Last season when I played I felt very well but just 15 games, something like this. Not a big amount. So now when I get the opportunity I try to do my best and I try to help the team.
“Like I was in the last games. I am happy with the performances, I am going to enjoy the Champions League games on the pitch so it is a fresh start and I am happy and will take it.”
