Kepa reveals Pochettino snub before Real Madrid move

The Spaniard has opened up on his decision to join Real Madrid despite the Chelsea manager’s efforts to retain him.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has spilled the beans on his decision to leave Chelsea and join Real Madrid on loan.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper arrived in the summer on a season-long deal. Real Madrid signed him to cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Mauricio Pochettino, who took over as the Chelsea manager in the summer, tried to prevent the move. He wanted Kepa to stay and play. Bayern Munich, led by former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, also came calling.

But once a Real Madrid offer arrived on his doorstep, there was only one option for Kepa was going to take.

“Thomas Tuchel called me. We were close to going to [Bayern] Munich. But due to the circumstances of the [Courtois] injury, the possibility arose,” Kepa told Marca.

“There wasn’t much to think about. In the end, Real Madrid is Real Madrid.”

Kepa is now hoping to start in Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on Friday.