I’M MORE THAN A CUP KEPA

Shootout king ready to step in when Mendy is on duty with Senegal

CHELSEA goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is desperate to be more than an expensive lucky charm for the Premier League leaders.

The 27-year-old (above with Marcos Alonso) won a third penalty shootout of the season on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup as the Blues edged past Southampton 4-3 after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Kepa, who arrived from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, has only started one league match this season and remains a £72million understudy to Edouard Mendy.

Senegal international Mendy has been in brilliant form and has conceded only three goals in the top flight.

But against Saints, Kepa made big saves in normal t i m e having been at fault for Che Adams’ goal, and then tipped Theo Walcott’s spot-kick onto a post.

And that comes after helping Thomas Tuchel’s side to the Super Cup against Villarreal after a shootout, and seeing off Aston Villa in similar fashion earlier in the Carabao Cup.

Kepa said: “Of course I want to play more regularly. My last game was also a cup game, more or less a month ago. So it’s not easy to step in and feel the same as you would if you play every week. But I try to be ready, train hard, be involved in the team.

“Also, I feel the confidence of the manager. I’ve felt his support from the beginning and I think when I step in I’m ready to help the team.

“It’s really important to take your chance. I want to keep playing. I really want to enjoy being on the pitch with that pressure.” Although little can be guaranteed amid the pandemic, the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cameroon early next year, could see Mendy away for six weeks or more with Senegal.

When asked about that, Kepa replied: “It is two months away. We know it can happen. If he goes, then all the best and I’ll be ready. But it’s still a long way to arrive at that point.”

Kepa’s shootout record this season is all a long way from the 2019 Carabao Cup final.

On that occasion he defied then manager Maurizio Sarri and refused to come off for specialist Willy Caballero for a shootout that Chelsea went on to lose.

It has come full circle, and Kepa said: “I’ve always said I try to help the team in the best way but I do feel good at penalties. I feel confident. It’s a bit of luck, a bit of work, a bit of everything, but I feel good.”