London (dpa)
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel praised the character and professionalism of the team’s substitute goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The British News Agency, “B. Verse. Media» that the Spanish goalkeeper plays the role of second man to Edward Mendy, the main goalkeeper of Chelsea, but his performance when he was hired did not go unnoticed by Tuchel.
The 27-year-old, who has played in only six matches this season, saved two dangerous chances in the Brentford match, which saw Chelsea’s young team win 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals.
It is expected that Mendy will return when Chelsea heads to face Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Sunday, but Tuchel expressed his happiness with his options in the goalkeeper position.
He said, “I am generally happy. “Maybe the word I’m happy is incorrect, but I really like Kepa.”
He added, “It is not a surprise anymore, that he is in good shape as a person, as a character and as an athlete as he does what is required of him with us, because he does what he does best.”
“That’s what he shows every day in training and that’s why he gets the reward.
I’m very confident that’s why he’s performing like this.”
“I am very happy, we want him to remain at such a level, the goalkeeper group is very strong, and Kepa is part of this group.”
Tuchel restores the services of Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi in his match against Aston Villa.
Lukaku and Odoi were among eight Chelsea players who were infected with the Corona virus, but the results of their tests came negative and they returned to training.
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