Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Danyal Khan

Thomas Tuchel sent Chelsea team demand for Club World Cup final amid £93m dilemma

Thomas Tuchel and Zsolt Low have unanimously been told to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over Edouard Mendy in the upcoming Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Palmeiras.

Both goalkeepers have been in great form recently with the Senegalese shot-stopper playing a big part in his country's recent AFCON win, whilst Kepa has deputised well in his absence.

It has been reported that the Blues' number 16 could start the final with it being in the long-term interests of the club, with football.london understanding that the European Champions are open to offers for their £71million signing come the summer.

A potential change in personal for the Palmeiras game has been further alluded to with what Zsolt Low had to say in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's showpiece event.

"We're very happy with both goalkeepers. It's a comfortable situation to have both goalkeepers like this," Tuchel's assistant said on Friday afternoon.

"Now Edou is back he is fresh, we have to take the decison tonight. "We will talk to Thomas about it. Final decision will be some hours before the game but if we decide for one or the other the one on the bench has nothing to be worried or sad about.

"Both goalkeepers had a big performance in the last weeks. This is why it's a question just for this game. Tonight or latest tomorrow."

With both goalkeepers costing a combined £93million between them, Tuchel and co. certainly have a dilemma on their hands ahead of fielding the final 11 that could make more history in the Middle East.

Normally, supporters would prefer to see the more trustworthy 29-year-old start in such an occasion like a Club World Cup final but Kepa has also shown he can play in the biggest games, with the semi-final against Al Hilal and his role to win Chelsea the Super Cup demonstrating this point exactly.

Unsurprisingly, this was all reflected in supporter reaction when posed the question of who should be the one opted for in this situation.

Here's the best of the reaction on Reddit from Chelsea supporters with most favouring the former La Liga player.

@ImperiumnV said: 'He [Kepa] should play in the final. He deserves it.'

@Kroos-Kontroller reckons: 'I think he will play in both the finals.'

@Sektsioon added: 'No reason to think he wouldn’t, he’s our designated cup keeper. He played the entire FA Cup run last season as well, including the final.'

On the other side of the coin, @DangerousShift2714 thinks: 'Mendy should play in the final honestly. No matter how much Keep improved. We should play our best player in the final.'

@4alvish followed on from that point: 'I don't think Tuchel will bench him for the final.'

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.