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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga dismisses Frank Lampard rift as goalkeeper targets 'winning everything'

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has rejected speculation linking him with a move away from the club, insisting he has a "very good relationship" with coach Frank Lampard.

The 25-year-old has endured a difficult second season at Stamford Bridge after losing his place to Willy Caballero, before battling back to return to the side towards the end of the campaign.

Despite his improvement in form, speculation persists that Lampard is in the market for a new goalkeeper with AC Milan stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer both linked.

But the £71million goalkeeper insists he is only focused on winning trophies with the Blues and put to bed any murmurs of discontent over his relationship with manager Frank Lampard.

"The relationship with Frank is very good," he told Marca.

Staying: Kepa Arrizabalaga wants to win trophies at Chelsea after the Europa League in 2019 Photo: Getty Images

"He has shown me confidence from the first moment. He must make decisions, but I feel I have his confidence, both his and that of the whole club. We all like to play in every game.

"It is true that, in the last 10 years, Chelsea is the English team that has won the most titles, and I think we should have that ambition. In fact, I came here for that and in the first season, we already achieved the Europa League. We have a young team.

"Then came the penalty of not signing players but you have to keep fighting for titles. I want to win everything with Chelsea and with the national team."

When quizzed about why his performance dropped, the former Athletic Bilbao stopper suggested fatigue played a part.

"We play 50 or 60 games a year and it is difficult to stay on the same level," he added.

"The important thing is to be very clear about the objective, to work and put everything into improving. There may be obstacles along the way, but when you have a clear objective, it is easier.

"The only thing that can be done, in these cases, is to take it professionally, respectfully and work harder to turn it around."

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