Chelsea told to green light Kepa Arrizabalaga move as big-money windfall mooted – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Chelsea could recoup some of their world-record outlay on Kepa Arrizabalaga by allowing him to leave on loan this term.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged the Blues to allow the 27-year-old to depart as “he will want to feel like a number one again”.
According to the London Evening Standard (18 July), Napoli are interested in signing Kepa this summer – either on a loan or permanent basis.
The report claims manager Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to let the Spaniard depart as he would be left short in the goalkeeping department.
Kepa joined Chelsea for a reported world-record fee of £71.6million in 2019 but has fallen behind Senegal international Edouard Mendy in the pecking order.
The former Athletic Bilbao ace, who is out of contract in June 2025, made just four league starts last term.
Whelan insisted the 27-year-old is being wasted on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
“Players with his sort of stature and price tag cannot be number two,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He won’t be happy with his place as second fiddle at Chelsea right now. He’ll want to feel like a number one again – and hopefully the club will let him have that opportunity.
“I don’t think the club will stand in his way. Someone of his age and quality is wasted sitting on the bench.
“If he’s not going to be number one, Chelsea may as well try and capitalise on his value going up if he has a good season away at Napoli.”
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