{"id":558301,"date":"2020-07-17T08:35:14","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T12:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=558301"},"modified":"2020-07-17T08:35:14","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T12:35:14","slug":"kepa-arrizabalaga-frank-lampards-goalkeeping-conundrum-at-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/17\/kepa-arrizabalaga-frank-lampards-goalkeeping-conundrum-at-chelsea\/","title":{"rendered":"Kepa Arrizabalaga: Frank Lampard’s Goalkeeping Conundrum at Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Chelsea<\/a> met Atletic Bilbao’s asking price for Kepa Arrizabalaga <\/a>in August 2018, they made the Spaniard<\/a> the world\u2019s most expensive shot-stopper. The club hoped this would resolve any goalkeeping problems triggered by Thibault Courtois\u2019s exit to Real Madrid<\/a>, but two years later, the deal now looks like an expensive mistake.<\/p>\n

Frank Lampard<\/a>‘s Goalkeeping Conundrum With Kepa Arrizabalaga<\/a><\/h2>\n

Why Lampard Needs a New Goalkeeper<\/h3>\n

During Maurizio Sarri\u2019s eventful tenure at Stamford Bridge, the most pressing concerns relating to their first choice goalkeeper appeared to be disciplinary in nature. After all, who could forget Kepa\u2019s defiance of his manager\u2019s orders in last season\u2019s Carabao Cup final<\/a> defeat by Manchester City<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Under Frank Lampard<\/a>, though, persistent technical flaws are showing no signs of disappearing. Chelsea\u2019s number one is repeatedly costing his side as they chase Champions League football.<\/p>\n

For instance, Kepa\u2019s Premier League save percentage from shots outside the box stands at around 70% so far this season<\/a>. Whilst not world-beating, it is a similar record to that of Manchester City\u2019s Ederson<\/a>. From shots coming from inside the box, however, Kepa\u2019s save percentage hovers at around the 50% mark<\/a>, a startling drop.<\/p>\n

Poor Technique<\/h3>\n

So what is the reason for this? It would be easy to argue it is simply because shots from inside the box are usually harder to save than shots coming in from distance. However, this does not tell the whole story regarding Kepa.<\/p>\n

Instead, Kepa\u2019s frequent inability to make reflex saves can be explained within his questionable technique. Every time he readies himself to make a save, Chelsea\u2019s goalkeeper inexplicably positions his hands slightly behind his back. He must feel that doing so will help him to cover more ground if he needs to.<\/p>\n

This leads to trouble in relation to making close-range saves. By the time Kepa\u2019s hands are no longer behind him, the ball often already is. It means the goalkeeper can do nothing to prevent it from finding the net. Take last season\u2019s FA Cup run for example; Chelsea bowed out in the fifth round at the hands of Manchester United<\/a>. In the game, Kepa failed to stop a header from Paul Pogba<\/a> squirming past him. Why? Because he did not propel his hands forward quickly enough to get enough contact on the ball.<\/p>\n

Similarly, in the Premier League this January, Isaac Hayden\u2019s injury-time header<\/a> gave Newcastle all three points against Chelsea. Kepa got a hand to it but could not keep it out. While neither header went in as a result of a goalkeeping ‘error’ per se, a stronger technique would have allowed Kepa to have prevented both goals.<\/p>\n

All Problems Need Addressing<\/h3>\n

The timing of those matches is significant. One took place last season and the other this January. This tells us that Kepa has had plenty of time to improve on his technique.<\/p>\n

It seems he has not progressed as his manager might have expected.<\/p>\n

Frank Lampard<\/a> has already acted quickly and decisively in the transfer market as he seeks to improve his squad, signing attacking duo Hakim Ziyech<\/a> and Timo Werner<\/a> ahead of next season. Perhaps it is time he looked elsewhere for a new number one too. And with rumours gathering pace that Chelsea are looking at<\/a> Ajax\u2019s Andr\u00e9 Onana<\/a> and Atletico Madrid\u2019s Jan Oblak<\/a>, time may be running out for Kepa to justify his hefty price tag.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>