Chelsea fear Kepa is a bad investment

CHELSEA fear they will take a huge financial hit if record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga has a prolonged spell on the bench.

Frank Lampard made the bold call to drop the £71-million man for last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Leicester and is ready to ask for a new No 1 goalkeeper if Arrizabalaga fails to convince him he can become the club’s long-term first choice.

But the uncertainty surrounding the Spain goalkeeper’s future is causing significant agitation in the Blues boardroom, with concerns that the value of one of their biggest assets will plummet if he is sidelined.

Arrizabalaga’s arrival from Athletic Bilbao was seen as a major coup for director Marina Granovskaia and having invested heavily to secure his signature in 2018, Chelsea are reluctant to offload him under circumstances which would almost certainly mean selling the 25-year-old for significantly less than they paid for him.

It sets up a potential conflict between Lampard and the club’s hierarchy at the end of the season if the Blues legend decides he wants a new goalkeeper.

Granovskaia will continue to head up Chelsea’s transfer business this Northern hemisphere summer and has already lined up a series of meetings with a view to achieving the club’s targets.

Her strong involvement in the world record deal to sign Arrizabalaga means she is likely to want the club to persist with the under-fire keeper.

If Chelsea decide to recruit a new goalkeeper they could turn to Ajax’s Andre Onana.

It is understood that the 23-yearold wants to move to the Premier League and Stamford Bridge would be his preferred destination.

It is believed Barcelona have held talks with the Cameroon international – who would likely cost £40-50m – but Onana would rather move to England.

BT TO SHOW ROONEY’S REUNION WITH UNITED

Wayne Rooney’s reunion with Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round will be televised live on Thursday, March 5.

The former England striker, now with Championship side Derby, is United’s all-time top goalscorer having played for them between 2004 and 2017.

He last played against United for Everton on New Year’s Day 2018, but is set to face them in the last-16 at Pride Park.

FA CUP FIFTH ROUND

March 2: Portsmouth v Arsenal (7.45pm, BT Sport 1)

March 3: Chelsea v Liverpool (7.45pm, BBC 1) West Brom v Newcastle (8pm) Reading v Sheffield Utd (8pm)

March 4: Spurs v Norwich (7.45pm) Leicester v Birmingham (7.45pm) Sheffield Wednesday v Man City (7.45pm,

BBC 1)

March 5: Derby v Man Utd (7.45pm, BT Sport 1)

| Daily Mail