Kepa’s Turbulent Chelsea Tenure
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s time at Chelsea has been marked by highs and lows since his record-breaking £71.6m transfer from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018. Initially succeeding Thibaut Courtois, Kepa’s early days at Stamford Bridge were promising, including a 12-match unbeaten run with six clean sheets. However, his refusal to be substituted during the 2019 Carabao Cup final and subsequent form issues have overshadowed his career at Chelsea.
Recent Developments and Loan to Madrid
The 29-year-old’s form further declined under Frank Lampard, leading to the arrival of Edouard Mendy from Rennes in 2020, which limited Kepa’s game time. Last season, he spent on loan at Real Madrid, making only 20 appearances. With his contract expiring next summer, Chelsea is keen to resolve his future, potentially avoiding the free transfer route.
Potential Swap Deal with Real Madrid
According to Spanish publication AS, Chelsea is in discussions with Real Madrid regarding a swap deal that would see Kepa return to Madrid. In exchange, Real Madrid’s backup goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, would move to Chelsea.
Lunin’s Profile and Career at Madrid
Andriy Lunin, a 25-year-old Ukrainian international, joined Real Madrid from Zorya Luhansk in 2020. Despite making only 48 appearances for the La Liga giants, Lunin showed his potential during Thibaut Courtois’s injury spell last season, making 31 appearances. However, with Courtois fit again, Lunin seeks a starting role, which might be challenging at Madrid.
Lunin commented on his future, saying: “We’ll see, we’ll see. We will know in just a little bit of time. The only thing I can say is that everything was going the right way about me staying and now the ball is on Real Madrid’s court. That’s all I can say about my future. It’s all in their hands now.”
Liverpool’s Interest and Implications
Liverpool is also reportedly interested in Lunin, which could complicate the swap deal. However, Lunin would likely struggle to be first-choice at Anfield, as long as Alisson remains their number one.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeping Options
If the swap deal materializes, Lunin would compete with Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic at Chelsea. Sanchez, who joined from Brighton, and Petrovic are seen as solid options, but Lunin’s arrival could bolster the competition for the starting spot.
Conclusion
As the summer transfer window progresses, Kepa’s potential move back to Real Madrid and Lunin’s switch to Chelsea add an intriguing layer to the transfer market. Both players seek more regular playing time, and a swap deal might be mutually beneficial, though Liverpool’s interest in Lunin could influence the final outcome.