Frank Lampard ponders goalkeeper switch as Chelsea begin search for new long-term No1
Lampard has one eye on Tuesday night, when his side face Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie.
Despite the tough challenge of facing Europa League-chasing Brighton, some players will be rested on Saturday, with little to play for in the Premier League. For others, the game will offer them a chance to stake a claim for a place in the team against Real.
Keeper Edward Mendy hopes for a recall after his recovery from a broken finger. The Senegal star was back-up to Kepa Arrizabalaga under Graham Potter, but Lampard signed him in 2020 on the recommendation of technical advisor Petr Cech.
Mendy went on to win the Champions League for Thomas Tuchel in a record-breaking European defensive run after he took over from an out-of-sorts Kepa. The Spaniard has since recovered and improved as a keeper under a combination of Tuchel and Potter, but his form recently has been inconsistent.
Position battle: Frank Lampard may replace Kepa Arrizabalaga (R) with Edouard Mendy
/ AFP via Getty ImagesAgainst Madrid on Wednesday, his parry from Vinicius Junior allowed Karim Benzema to open the scoring. He was then beaten by a curling Marco Asensio shot from 18 yards that squirmed disappointingly through his grasp.
Mendy’s European pedigree could help Chelsea in the second leg, but the club’s owners seem unconvinced by either keeper.
They have contacted representatives of Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Brentford’s David Raya as they target a new No1. According to reports in Georgia, Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is also on their radar.
Not only have Chelsea been looking at potential targets, but they have paused contract negotiations with Mendy and left him on a below-market-rate deal which expires in 2025.
He wants to match Kepa’s £190,000-a-week wages, but the club seems reluctant. There is also a feeling that Kepa is not worth that salary and, should a good offer come in, Chelsea would let him go.
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