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Football London
Football London
Sport
Scott Trotter

Thomas Tuchel's true genius and why Kepa Arrizabalaga substitution could change Chelsea's season

When you substitute a goalkeeper on for penalties and they make two saves you've got to feel pretty happy with yourself.

The smile on Thomas Tuchel's face holding the UEFA Super Cup was certainly pretty big but the scream Kepa Arrizabalaga let out after saying Raul Albiol's penalty could reverberate around Chelsea's season.

Relief seemed to run through the Spaniard's body before launching the ball into the Belfast night and the intensity returned for the Blues' celebrations.

Of course, we'll never know if the substitute really made the difference. Edouard Mendy is a stellar goalkeeper who perhaps would have made as many saves. But it was a decision destined to dictate the narrative of the night despite coming so late and Tuchel can chalk another decision in the win column.

Certain squad members may have been uncertain over such a move, but this hierarchy has been in place since Tuchel's start at the club.

"When we arrived for my first cup game against Barnsley, we had a talk with the goalkeeping coaches and the analysis department," Tuchel explained in his post-match press conference.

"They came up with these statistics that Willy Caballero is the best in penalty saving from thousands of them, second best was Kepa and third-best is Edou in this statistic.

"We spoke to the goalkeepers openly that it can be like this in a situation like today that we make this change, not for personal reasons, but to help the team's chances because we have this statistic."

Stamford Bridge's first choice glovesman offered no complaint and embraced Kepa as they exchanged places. The coaching staff had faith in the data and every member of the Chelsea squad will have had their faith in Tuchel reinforced once again. That will help any changes the boss attempts to make in the future.

26-year-old Kepa was mobbed after that final save, and while the jubilation of winning a trophy was obvious, it appears the goalkeeper is very well-liked.

Kepa was Chelsea's penalty hero (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The enigmatic stopper has had his fair share of scrutiny. Whether it be from his record fee, refusing to be substituted under Maurizio Sarri or by making the odd mistake in his rare opportunities last season. The UEFA Super Cup has allowed Chelsea's stars to have faith in him once again.

Rio Ferdinand summed it up well on BT Sport: “He’s been under immense pressure, immense scrutiny, since he’s come to the club for various reasons and I think you can see today, after this save, what his presence is like, what he means to the squad.

"They were all over him straight away, to a man, what it meant to them, and they were bang on him. Obviously, Thomas Tuchel knew something we didn’t.

"Before every penalty was taken, he was right up in the faces of the Villarreal players, he’s got something about him, he’s got character, and you get your rewards sometimes for hard work."

With Mendy likely at AFCON during January, an increased level of faith in Kepa will not go amiss. After a talismanic night, he had a performance to back up his mentality and that can only help him progress when he is afforded a chance to start.

There is often talk about where Kepa's future lies. The cost Chelsea incurred signing him is prohibitive to any future transfer and with the season set to get underway in days, a loan move seems unlikely for the second-choice star, particularly with the knowledge of Mendy's absence for the turn of the year.

More than anything, however, Tuchel created another ace up his sleeve. The Super Cup champions will hope to go far in a number of cup competitions. Penalties can never be ruled out.

Now, Kepa might be the force to leave doubt in the mind of an opposition penalty-taker. Two saves have formed a specialist reputation.

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