Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has lauded Kepa Arrizabalaga for his 'impressive' performance in Chelsea's nail-biting 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The 28-year-old has struggled to warrant the record-breaking fee the Blues paid four-years ago but, following a string of starts, new boss Graham Potter has uncovered the hallmarks of the world's most expensive goalkeeper.
Kepa made seven saves at Villa Park to keep the west Londoners, who often had their backs against the wall, in the game. Statistically speaking, Steven Gerrard's side were expected to find the net twice but, after a triple save to deny Jacob Ramsey and jaw-dropping reflexes to keep out Danny Ings from close range, the shot-stopper prevailed.
His saves were met with great applause by the fans - home and away. Though no sign of appreciation will have matched the message Casillas sent Kepa on Twitter.
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The former Spain international, who is widely considered as one of the world's greatest ever goalkeepers, tweeted: "Today @kepa_46 has been impressive. I'm glad!"
Potter was just as impressed by his goalkeeper's 'fantastic' performance. Speaking to football.london after the Villa clash, the 47-year-old said: "We’re obviously delighted with the result because it was a hard-fought game. Aston Villa made us suffer, certainly in the first half.
"I thought we started off ok but lost our way a little bit in the second half of the first half. We needed Kepa at that point and he made some fantastic saves.
"We’re delighted with the three points, delighted with the clean sheet and happy with Mason and Kepa, in particular, to help us over the line," Potter added. "That is going to be the story: different players will have to step up and today they’ve done it.
"He is contributing to us with clean sheets and how we’re trying to play and the environment around the place. I’ve got to say all three goalkeepers we’ve had here have been really, really good in that regard – supporting each other, providing good competition and that picks everybody’s level up and Kepa has found a fantastic level today.
"He made some brilliant saves that have kept us in the game and allowed us to win the points, so really pleased for him."
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