SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 1 hr 6 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga "very happy" on loan at Real Madrid

:Headline: Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga 'very happy' on loan at Real Madrid:
Real Madrid's on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga reveals that he is "very happy" at the Bernabeu amid rumours over a possible permanent move.
Sports Mole

On-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has claimed that he is "very happy" at Real Madrid and jumped at the chance to sign for Los Blancos despite interest from Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard spent most of the 2022-23 season as Chelsea's number one under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, having taken advantage of Edouard Mendy's lengthy injury absence to get himself back in favour.

Kepa remained the Blues' first-choice shot-stopper after Mendy's recovery, even captaining the side in a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, but he kept just nine clean sheets in the league as Chelsea laboured to a 12th-placed finish.

Both Kepa and Mendy were tipped to make way for fresh blood this summer, and the latter was seduced by the riches of Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli as Chelsea brought in Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic to bolster their goalkeeping department.

Meanwhile, Kepa was still on the books at Stamford Bridge for the opening weekend of the Premier League season, but he was soon shipped out to Real Madrid on a straight loan deal to replace Thibaut Courtois, who suffered a devastating ACL injury in training and is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 campaign.

The 29-year-old quickly ousted backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from the XI and has started each of Real Madrid's last nine matches across all tournaments, keeping a respectable five clean sheets in the process.

Kepa entered the international break on the back of three successive La Liga shut-outs against Las Palmas, Girona and Osasuna, leaving Real top of the table with a league-low six goals conceded this term.

Prior to returning to his homeland, the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was targeted by German champions Bayern, whose long-serving number one Manuel Neuer is on the long road to recovery from a broken leg.

However, in an interview with Spanish outlet AS, Kepa revealed that his loan to Real Madrid was completed within "a few hours", and he did not think twice when learning of Los Blancos' interest.

"The loan with Madrid was very quick. Everything was closed in a few hours, with just two phone calls. I had spent five seasons at a big club, Chelsea, and I thought a change could be good for me," Kepa said.

"It's true that there was the option of Bayern... but Real Madrid called and I didn't think about it. If there were other opportunities before it doesn't matter, what matters is that it became a reality last summer."

Kepa's move to the Bernabeu was a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy, but the Chelsea loanee confirmed that he would be keen to stay in the Spanish capital for the long term upon his arrival in the summer.

Kepa was loath to discuss his future with AS, but he confirmed that he was "very happy" to represent Real Madrid, adding: "After what happened last summer I don't want to start thinking in October about what could happen in July.

"But what I can say is that I am very happy. Of course, I will not lack work and enthusiasm and I will try to help make Madrid's history even greater and enjoy every minute, every game to the fullest."

The 29-year-old's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until the end of the 2024-25 season, and he is currently with the Spain squad preparing for October's Euro 2024 qualifiers with Scotland and Norway on Thursday and Sunday respectively. body check tags ::

amp_article__526278 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-10-12 21:40:25:
html db last update - 2023-10-12 21:40:25 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Kepa Arrizabalaga

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
RM
Read Next:
Kepa Arrizabalaga suggests he does not want Chelsea return
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Kepa Arrizabalaga Graham Potter Frank Lampard Edouard Mendy Djordje Petrovic Robert Sanchez Thibaut Courtois Manuel Neuer Andriy Lunin Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Kepa Arrizabalaga suggests he does not want Chelsea return
Electric Enzo steals the show as Chelsea triumph in Leicester
Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups
Chelsea's N'Golo Kante receives Saudi Arabia offer?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton112451017-710
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arteta springs a surprise: Arsenal XI vs. Nottingham Forest confirmed

1

AS

Electric Enzo steals the show as Chelsea triumph in Leicester

2

EE

Barcelona 'could battle' Liverpool, Tottenham for Ajax star

NEW

3

B'

Barca star 'commits long-term future' to La Liga leaders

NEW

4

BS

Shock inclusions: Maresca names Chelsea XI for Leicester game

5

SI

Saturday's Premier League predictions including Man City vs. Tottenham

6

SP

Preview: Newcastle vs. West Ham - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PN

Preview: Ipswich vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PI

Chelsea defender James 'to undergo scan' on hamstring injury

9

CD

Saturday's La Liga predictions including Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona

10

SL


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .