Chris Sutton has crown Kepa Arrizabalaga as the worst Chelsea transfer flop in history ahead of even Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko.
Kepa had another disastrous outing for Chelsea in Sunday evening’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, practically gifting Sadio Mane his second goal of the game.
The error-prone Spaniard continues to succumb to the growing pressure on his shoulders. Patience is wearing thin in all quarters in west London, with fans growing frustrated with his lackluster displays.
After being made the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2018 for a staggering €80m, a lot was expected of Kepa. The 25-year-old was seen as a ready-made solution for Chelsea’s need for a top goalkeeper in both the present and future.
But it’s become increasingly apparent that the Blues may need to find a new shot-stopper sooner rather than later, as Kepa continues to struggle. A deal to sign Rennes star Edouard Mendy, therefore, is reportedly in the pipeline.
Now Sutton has weighed on the drama unfolding at Stamford Bridge by labeling Kepa as the club’s worst signing ever.
“You can spend a king’s ransom on your attack but if your goalkeeper can’t even catch a cold, then what’s the point?” the ex-Chelsea striker told the Daily Mail.
“Kepa Arrizabalaga cost Chelsea £71.6 million in 2018 but has never proven worthy of being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. In committing another clanger [in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool] he further established himself as Chelsea’s worst value signing in the Premier League era.
Kepa has made 135 saves for Chelsea. They paid £72 Million. That’s £525,925 per save 😳 pic.twitter.com/fNFQpohXYH
— TomCUFC (@CufcTom) September 20, 2020
“Maybe their worst since I cost them £10m! I moved to Stamford Bridge for big money in 1999. It didn’t work out and a year later I was sold to Celtic for £6m.
“It happens. Sometimes it’s best to move on. You could also name Fernando Torres at £50m (though a few Chelsea fans might say that historic semi-final goal against Barcelona was worth the fee alone).
“Andriy Shevchenko at £30m, too. But Kepa surely beats all of us. Sadio Mane’s goals on Sunday meant he had conceded 11 of the last 16 shots he’s faced.
“In football, you always get a chance to redeem yourself. I got that at Celtic, and Kepa might have to go prove himself elsewhere, too. Edouard Mendy cannot arrive from Rennes soon enough for Frank Lampard, who is under big pressure to win a trophy this season.
“Chelsea aren’t the type of club who say: ‘No problem – have another go next season!’ Lampard knows as well as anyone that silverware is a must.”
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