Kepa claims that 'changes' in management has led to on-pitch struggles

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalga has claimed that the multiple changes in management during the 2022-23 campaign has 'cost' his side.

The Blues were breezed past in their Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday night, as Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio wrapped up a routine 2-0 win.

It was Frank Lampard's second match in charge since taking over as caretaker manager, after the departure of Graham Potter earlier this month.

Lampard became the third man to step into the Chelsea dugout this season, following Thomas Tuchel's sacking at the start of the campaign, and there are now suggestions that the changes in management has negatively influenced the squad.

Speaking after the game, according to the Evening Standard, Spanish goalkeeper Kepa said: 'We leave with the feeling that they have been superior, it has cost us a lot to play in the opposite half and to create chances.

'It could even have been worse after the expulsion, because 30 minutes with one less [player] at the Bernabeu in the Champions League is a lot.

'They have had more chances, we have a lot to improve for the second leg. The feeling is that we are not at our level, we look at ourselves and the players are the first to be responsible.

'There have been three changes of coach, there have been changes in the squad during the season and it is costing us.'

The Spaniard was unable to prevent the Blues from falling to defeat in Madrid, which was Lampard's second loss out of two matches in charge.

The result means that the Blues are winless from their last five outings, having also fallen to defeats against Aston Villa and Wolves.

Club legend Lampard became the third manager in Chelsea's season, after being appointed on an interim basis in the wake of Graham Potter's sacking.

Potter was dismissed at the start of April, after less than seven months in charge with the Blues.

The former Brighton head coach won just 12 of his 31 games in charge in west London before being relieved of his duties by chairman Todd Boehly.

There had been hopes that Potter would be a long-term appointment at Chelsea, after taking the job in September 2021.

He had followed swiftly after German coach Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked almost immediately into Todd Boehly's tenure as club chairman.

Sportsmail revealed that Tuchel was paid £13million as a severance package, with a further £2m going to his backroom staff.

Since being dismissed at Chelsea, the German has taken charge of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich - who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Man City on Tuesday.