Arrizabalaga in line for recall

Frank Lampard has been satisfied with the reaction of Kepa Arrizabalaga to being dropped, improving the chances of the goalkeeper being restored to the Chelsea lineup for Monday’s meeting with Manchester United.

Lampard took the decision to leave the Spaniard, who had been inconsistent, out of the side who drew 2-2 with Leicester City immediately before the club’s two-week winter break, handing a start to deputy Willy Caballero.

The manager has spoken to the 25-year-old, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he made a £72million move to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao 18 months ago and is now expected to hand him a recall. “His reaction has been good, as I would expect,” said Lampard. “He’s been working hard, head down. I haven’t had lots of conversations with him this week, but it’s a decision for me to make.

“I spoke around the Leicester game that I had to pick the team on form in every position. It was just a selection on that day. I know goalkeepers are a little different to everyone else. But I want everyone’s reaction to be spot on.

“Every player has it, maybe Messi or Ronaldo don’t have it. I had it in my career many a time, but it is part and parcel of being a footballer. You have to show character in those little moments.

“I don’t expect smiley faces when people get dropped, I just expect reactions. It is not easy.

“Sometimes it can be something that makes you stronger. Most people get it at some point in their career. So it is what it is.”