Former Nigeria striker, Victor Ikpeba, has said he does not expect Chelsea manager Graham Potter to drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for Edouard Mendy.
Kepa has become the preferred number one under Potter, despite Mendy returning from injury.
His performances in recent matches have been great, especially in the 2-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa, when he made a total of seven saves, including two stunning ones, to keep the Blues in the game at Villa Park on Sunday.
Chelsea manager afterwards praised Kepa’s display terming it “world class.” The superb display has also caught the attention of 49-year-old Ikpeba, who played 31 international matches for the Super Eagles and scored seven goals.
While Mount scored both goals in the 2-0 win, Kepa made some excellent saves to keep the Blues in the match.
“But that’s not the same Kepa happening and you have a new manager,” Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football magazine show on SuperSport as reported by allnigeriasoccer,” adding: “Mendy had his own bad games, bad runs and he’s been given the opportunity – it’s a little bit straight.
“When you have a goalkeeper that has won the Uefa Champions League, becomes the number one of the team and he’s struggling at the beginning of the season. I have never felt that Kepa wasn’t a good keeper.
“Sometimes he needs time to get used to the Premier League and he’s shown that he’s a talented keeper. He’s shown a huge mentality. That’s a winning mentality or fighting, having the opportunity to come back. He now has it, he’s going to be the number at Chelsea.
“There’s no way the manager is going to drop him. He’s shown all his potential. A lot of money was spent on him.”
