Chelsea outcast Kepa breaks his silence on being dropped

Kepa Arrizabalaga has opened up on slipping down the Chelsea pecking order and how he plans to win back his No.1 status.

Costly errors, on top of the big-money arrival of Edouard Mendy, have demoted Kepa to the bench at Chelsea.

Frank Lampard placed his trust in Willy Caballero and Mendy in goal for the club’s last three games after the 26-year-old made yet another mistake in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on September 20.

Despite the looming prospect of little game time, for now at least, Kepa chose to stay in London. While obviously not satisfied with his role in the team, he still feels confident about turning things around.

“I feel good,” said Kepa ahead of Spain’s friendly with Portugal on Wednesday night as quoted on Goal.

“Strong, confident. Maybe not the dream situation. We have to experience things like this.

“I am confident to turn the situation around. When I have the opportunity to play I will try to do it the best possible.

“Obviously all the players want to play. I do not consider myself beyond the day to day. In football, it is difficult to look at the medium or long term. Obviously, I want to play. The closest thing is the national team and I think about that.

“I feel like a footballer every day. I feel strong, very good at the national team, and very good at Chelsea. It is a great club and I feel lucky.”

Kepa will hope to get a chance to impress for the Spanish national team ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Portugal and the UEFA Nations League clash against Switzerland on Saturday.