Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged Chelsea to replace goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga if they are to mount a serious title charge in the Premier League next season.
Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 as the most expensive keeper in the world, costing £71 million, but the 25-year-old has failed to impress for the Blues.
And Carragher believes that former Chelsea midfielder and current head coach Frank Lampard has a decision to make around the shotstopper if the club are to progress.
“Chelsea will go no further unless they change the goalkeeper,” said Carragher, who won the Champions League with Liverpool among other trophies, when speaking to Sky Sports.
“It is an area that – if they want to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City – they will have to rectify in the summer.
“I know they keep buying a lot of attackers, but you see how many goals they have conceded. I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper, if I am being totally honest.”
Chelsea brought in winger Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund last year, and Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner will bolster the Blues’ frontline next term. However, it is at the other end of the pitch that Lampard’s side have struggled.
In their last game, Chelsea were beaten 5-3 by champions Liverpool. While none of the goals Kepa conceded at Anfield were directly his fault, his stats this season have been worrying.
Expected-goals data suggests that the Spaniard should have conceded approximately 34 goals this term, calculated with analysis of shots he has faced. He has conceded 47 goals, and that may end up costing his side a Champions League place.
Chelsea host Wolves on Sunday as the Premier League season comes to an end, with Lampard’s team needing a draw to secure a place in European football’s elite competition.
