Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel has said Kepa Arrizabalaga "deserves" to start ahead or Eduardo Mendy in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
While Kepa became the most expensive keeper in the world when he joined the Blues in 2018, signing for £71 million, he has been usurped as No.1 choice by Mendy at the Premier League club.
However, the Spaniard has been the keeper starting in all five of Chelsea's FA Cup matches this season and so Tuchel believes he should remain in the squad for the final against Leicester City.
He said: "Kepa will start the FA Cup final. If you have a goalkeeper for this competition, like we have had with Kepa, you don’t change in the final.
"He is part of the group and he brought us to the final so he deserves to play. Tomorrow is the next challenge for him.
"Edou [Mendy] was number one when I came in and there is no need to change. Both are fantastic guys and nothing has changed
"Edou is number one and Kepa is a strong goalkeeper we are very happy to have in the squad. They are working at an excellent level and an impressive way."
Kepa last played in Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday and though he'll feature in the final it's likely Mendy will return for their next league fixture.
The Blues face City just three days after the final in a crucial league match for the London club to stay in the top four.
Liverpool are closing in on Chelsea after their victory over Manchester United saw them go fifth, just four points behind Tuchel's side.
The manager added: "It’s the final of the cup and the final for the top four. We missed the chance to have a decisive advantage against Arsenal.
"We have to be up for it. Any win gives you a good feeling and it is tough to play two finals against the same team, but the whole group is available.
"It’s the moment to step up and enjoy on the highest level, by suffering and helping each other on the pitch."
