Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has praised Kepa Arrizabalaga for his performances this season.
While the Spaniard - the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of the game - has largely lost his place to Edouard Mendy, Tuchel has waxed lyrical about the 27-year-old ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Athletic Bilbao stopper was impressive as a youthful Chelsea side beat Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals earlier this week and will need to step up in Mendy’s absence.
"I am very happy in general. Happy is maybe not the right word, but I am super impressed with Kepa," he said.
"It is not a surprise anymore because he is in the state of mind as a person, a character and a sportsman where he just delivers for us, because he does what he does best.
"This is what he shows every day in training and this is why he gets the reward. I am absolutely sure that this is the reason why he has these kinds of performances.
"I am super happy, we need him in this kind of shape. The goalkeepers are a strong group and Kepa is a big part of it."
