Kepa faces awkward reunion with Lampard after brutal Chelsea blast
The sight of Frank Lampard returning for a second spell at Stamford Bridge to steady the ship will be a welcome one for most of a Chelsea persuasion - but not necessarily for everyone.
Lampard had 18 months at the helm in west London before he was brutally sacked back by Roman Abramovich back in 2021, but current co-owners Todd Boehly and Ehdad Beghgali have moved swiftly to install the Blues legend as caretaker manager until the end of the season after dispensing with the services of Graham Potter earlier this week.
The 44-year-old will have been greeted with plenty of familiar faces during his first training session on Thursday afternoon and some could benefit more than others during his interim reign.
But it remains to be seen if Kepa Arrizabalaga will be one of them. The Spanish shot-stopper has re-established himself as Chelsea's No.1 this season, but he lost his spot to Edouard Mendy during Lampard's tenure. And the Spaniard was also less than complimentary about Lampard's tactics back in the summer.
Speaking about how life had changed under Lampard's successor, Thomas Tuchel, Arrizabalaga told Marca in June 2022: "We came from a not so elaborate game (with Lampard). We didn't have to take the ball from behind, a less planned game, more (about) the free expression of the player, back and forth and less control.
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"With Tuchel we have returned to control. It is true that in the Premier League we were not close to the top two, but in the other tournaments we were very competitive."
Lampard has already proven that he isn't afraid to replace Kepa, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in football when he joined the club in a £71.6million deal from Athletic Bilbao, once before.
Join the debate! Have Chelsea made the right decision in bringing Lampard back until the summer? Let us know here.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was less than complimentary about Frank Lampard's tactics back in the summer (Getty Images)And with Mendy - who was signed by Lampard - still in the frame, it wouldn't be a total surprise to see Lampard switch things up in goal again during his second stint in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
Lampard has been out of work since being sacked by Everton back in January but insisted he had no doubts about returning to his beloved Blues once he was approached about an interim role. He told reporters on Thursday: "[It was] a surprise in terms of you never know the decision the club are going to make. I've been particularly enjoying my time at home. When you get time at home you can throw yourself into your family.
"But it was easy decision for me, this is my club. I'm also a very practical person. I've been on a different path since I left Chelsea but to come back when I've been asked and I come back with a belief that I can help until the end of the season.
"I'm delighted to get the opportunity and I'm thankful. I've a good understanding of the squad, the training ground, the stadium and the fans and I'll do my best."
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