Footballing confident Kepa is delighted with Chelsea’s run after conceding a fifth straight goal


(Reuters) – Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga said his confidence had been boosted by a string of starts for Chelsea after keeping a fifth straight clean sheet in Wednesday’s 0-0 Premier League draw with Brentford.

The Spaniard, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world for Chelsea in 2018 for 80 million euros, had been the second choice behind Edouard Mendy for the last two seasons.

However, he has been in superb form since returning to the side after suffering an injury to Mendy last month and featured in Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa on Sunday, where he made a number of excellent saves showed.

“Every player needs confidence, that push, and for goalkeepers it’s even more important,” Arrizabalaga told Prime Video.

“When you play in a series of games it’s important for your confidence and I’m playing well I think. I have to keep going and keep working.”

Kepa also impressed in Chelsea’s tie at Brentford, twice denying in-form striker Ivan Toney with saves praised by opposition manager Thomas Frank.

“Kepa was fantastic,” Frank told Prime Video. “Every time Chelsea come here, their goalkeeper is the man of the match.”

Fourth-placed Chelsea host fifth-placed Manchester United on Saturday.

($1 = 1.0250 euros)