Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea’s New Goalkeeper Profile

DBasia.news – Chelsea got a new goalkeeper ahead of the 2018-2019 season. Though Athletic Bilbao didn’t mention the destination of Kepa Arrizabalaga, a few hours later, The Blues confirmed that the goalkeeper will sign the seven-year-contract.

In the official statement, Bilbao said Kepa chose to leave. The club who accepted the 23-year-old player willingly to pay the release clause around 80 million euro or Rp1,3 trillion.

“The Professional Football League has certified to our entity that the player Kepa Arrizabalaga has met the requirements for the valid unilateral termination of the work contract that linked him to Athletic Club. The aforementioned certification indicates that the player has expressed his desire to terminate and unilaterally resolve the relationship that joined him since the 2004/05 season and that the amount of the compensation established in the contract has been deposited,” Bilbao official statement said.

“Athletic thanks the player for his contribution during the time he has remained in our Club.”

“Hundreds of players and players who have considered our first team as their aspiration have served this election; and this bet is found both in those who have remained in Athletic throughout their sporting career due to their own desire, as well as in those who have had an unwanted exit resulting from the technical decisions of each moment,” the statement continued.

This amount made Kepa as the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. Previously, the record was on Alisson Becker when he left Liverpool with 75 million euro price tag.

Then who is actually the most expensive goalkeeper?

Kepa started his career when he was 6 in a small village, Ondarroa, Basque Country. When he was 9, he joined the Bilbao junior team.

After that, Kepa’s performance started to steal the light. He became the champion of the U-189 Europe Cup with Spain national team in 2012. By his performance under the net, he called El Jilguero. Besides, he also called by Julen Lopetegui to play for La Furia Roja during the 2018 World Cup.

In his career, Kepa almost wears Real Madrid jersey. In the January 2018 transfer market, both clubs agreed of 18 million euro transfer fee. Moreover, he was rumored to do the medical review as the part of the transfer.

But, El Real coach at that time, Zinedine Zidane, didn’t give the permission.

“Kepa is very talented, but I didn’t want a goalkeeper in the middle of the season,” Zidane said reported by London Evening Standard.

Not too long after that, Athletic Bilbao submitted the new long-term contract with release clause worth 80 million euro. With proper consideration, Kepa signed the contract.

Kepa often compared with Spain legendary goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. He just 4 inches shorter than Thibaut Courtois.

In general, Kepa has great ability in reflex. Besides, he is also strong in the penalty kick and long passing. During his performance in LaLiga, the goalkeeper scored 15 clean sheets in 53 matches.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde also praised Kepa. The coach mentioned Kepa as the goalkeeper with a bright future. Moreover, when David De Gea did the blunder in the 2018 World Cup, many supporters asked Kepa to be the main goalkeeper.

The next question is: why don’t Chelsea choose to activate the release clause of Jan Oblak worth £89M?

The question could be answered considering Maurizio Sarri’s playing style. The Italian manager needed a goalkeeper who is brave enough to control the ball.

Besides, considering his young age, if he stays until one decade, the price tag for this season will be a sweet investment.