We are worth big bucks too
KEPA Arrizabalaga makes no apologies for being the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. In fact, the Spaniard has insisted: clubs pay big money for strikers, so why not us?
The 23-year-old has arrived at Chelsea for £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao on a seven-year deal to replace Thibaut Courtois, who completed his move to Real Madrid yesterday.
But Spain international Kepa, who himself saw a move to Real collapse in January, insisted yesterday that the massive fee will not bother him or put him under any more pressure.
Kepa’s deal was finalised late on Wednesday night along with the season-long loan for Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Real, as Chelsea sprang into action late in the transfer window this week.
The Spaniard’s fee eclipses the previous record £67m Liverpool paid for the Brazil goalkeeper Alisson from Roma last month.
Kepa said: “The market has gone up a lot in the last few years. There is a new way to value goalkeepers. It is great that big fees are paid for strikers and other players, but why not for goalkeepers too?
“It is a good way to acknowledge the importance of a good goalkeeper.”
Kepa, who kept seven clean sheets in 30 La Liga matches last season and is rated as the best young keeper in Spain, added: “This is a great challenge for me. It is a great step forward in my career.
“It’s very brave of the club to sign me in terms of the price – being the most expensive keeper in the world.
“Chelsea have made a big bet. I will put everything I can into repaying the trust they have put in me.
“But the price is something I don’t think about. I’m just going to be myself and give my best.
“I don’t think there will be additional pressure for me. The only pressure I experience is the pressure I put on myself. I’m a player who demands a lot from myself.”
Kepa revealed that Chelsea had in fact been chasing him for some time, saying: “I came back from holiday last month and a few days into training I knew already about the interest from Chelsea. There had been prior offers.”
And he revealed that he talked to former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who played under Maurizio Sarri at Napoli, before he made his decision to sign.
The new Chelsea manager likes his teams to play out from the back, so needs his goalkeeper to be good with his feet.
Kepa said: “I will be able to adapt to what Sarri wants. His style and ideas are very attractive to me. I spoke to Pepe, who knows him from Napoli. He was very happy with him.
“The style is similar to that used by the Spanish national team. It won’t be a problem.”
Kepa is now hoping his move to the Premier League will help him in his battle with David De Gea for the No1 shirt for his country.
Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea, recognised as probably the best in Europe despite disappointing World Cup form, struggled in his first season in England after moving from Atletico Madrid.
Kepa trained with his new club for the first time yesterday and is expected to make his debut tomorrow against Huddersfield.
He admitted: “Some players take more time to adapt. I hope I can adjust as soon as possible. I realise the game is different in England.
“I expect to achieve great growth, personally and as a collective in the team. I hope we’ll win many titles.”
Kovacic, who Real were forced to use as a sweetener in the deal which took Courtois to the Bernabeu and who is also set to debut tomorrow in a new Chelsea midfield, said: “This is a new league for me. The beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I’m looking forward to a big season.” Blues are determined not to sell. Courtois’ words are certain to anger Chelsea supporters further, having previously had to take down an Instagram post saying goodbye to the club after it provoked a furious reaction from fans. “Today I’m realising a dream. This is the best club in the world,” said Courtois, below, yesterday. “I’m coming into a club that has just won three Champions Leagues in a row. It’s important to keep winning all the trophies we can. “I want to continue to add success to this club’s history. Our challenge this season is to win every title available to us. We have a great squad and I hope I can help the team to keep winning things. “I received a lot of offers – some better from a financial point of view – but I wanted to come here and, importantly, be close to my children. “When there was a firm offer on the table I was in no doubt. My goal was to come to Real.”