In Focus: Kepa decision is a calculated gamble from Pochettino

Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to be given another chance to prove his worth to Chelsea. 

It had been widely reported that the Blues were in the market for a goalkeeper this summer. 

Yet new manager Mauricio Pochettino is primed to make the 28-year-old his first choice between the posts next season. 

With Kepa set to be on the bench for Spain in their Nations League final against Croatia, we examine why Chelsea have surprisingly decided to stick by their man.

Chelsea struggles

Chelsea have been linked with a number of goalkeepers since Pochettino's appointment, including AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Inter Milan's Andre Onana. 

So news that the Argentine boss is instead ready to make Kepa his No1 has come as a surprise. 

Signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for what was then a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of £71.6million, the Basque stopper has not lived up to his price tag. 

There was controversy in his first season, when Kepa refused to be substituted in the 2019 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City ahead of a penalty shootout that Chelsea would lose. 

His form dipped in the 2019-20 campaign — and shortly into 2020-21, he was replaced by Edouard Mendy. 

Had Kepa not been signed for that big fee it is likely he would have departed Stamford Bridge before last season, when he eventually won back his place. 

Graham Potter's admiration of his distribution skills saw him restored to the team and now Pochettino has also shown faith in the 13-cap international.

Pragmatic decision

Pochettino's decision to keep faith with Kepa could have as much to do with pragmatism as the goalkeeper's improved performances. 

Since Todd Boehly's consortium bought Chelsea, the club have spent around £600m on players across two transfer windows and incurred the cost of twice changing managers. 

Despite the spending spree, there are still issues within the squad that need to be solved. A new striker and a defensive midfielder are likely to be the priorities this summer.

In an ideal world, Chelsea may have also looked to recruit a new keeper, but the standard of player that they would look to sign would not come cheap. 

By deferring on an upgrade on this position for now, Stamford Bridge chiefs give themselves more funds for their other targets. 

Poch gamble

Kepa signed a seven-year contract in West London that is not due to expire until 2025. 

That means he essentially has a season to prove to Chelsea that he is the goalkeeper that they thought they were signing back when he was being heralded as one of the best in the world. 

A motivated Kepa will train with Pochettino's trusted coach Toni Jimenez, who also hails from Spain. 

Though the decision makes sense on many levels, it remains a gamble by the new manager. 

Should Kepa fail to convince then Blues fans will question why Poch chose not to replace a player who has already had so many opportunities to prove his worth.

Yet based on the keeper's better form last season, it seems a reasonable risk for the ex-Tottenham boss to take.