Life is a great leveler, and Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy learned that lesson the hard way. The Pensioners lost against West Ham United last weekend due to a crucial mistake from Edourad Mendy. The Hammers staged a stunning comeback against Chelsea to clinch victory at the London Stadium.
As a direct consequence of that loss, Chelsea dropped from first to third in the domestic league table. The Blues are now headed for the final matchday of the group stages of the Champions League. They make their away trip to face Zenit Saint Petersburg at the Krestovsky Stadium. The only goal for Chelsea in this fixture is to retain first place in the group ahead of Juventus.
Ardent Chelsea supporters have pleaded with Tuchel on social media to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in place of Édouard Mendy against Zenit. As the qualification for the next round of the competition is already secured, there is no harm in testing out the Spanish goalkeeper. Kepa has not featured between the sticks since the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton at the end of October.
Chelsea fans have faith in Kepa
It will be a wise decision from Tuchel if he gives Mendy a day off after his unfortunate afternoon at the London Stadium on Saturday. Although winning games is always a priority at Chelsea, there is no harm in trying out Kepa against Zenit St. Petersburg.
Chelsea broke the goalkeeper's transfer fee to land the Spaniard in their side back in 2018. It made Kepa the world's most expensive goalkeeper with an €80 million release clause.
Furthermore, with limited opportunities against the favorite Mendy, Kepa has seen himself warm the cold benches across the Premier League. It is imperative now for Tuchel to give regular starters some rest and simultaneously rotate his squad to keep everyone happy.
Moreover, it's not just that Kepa is a filler by any means. He has shone brightly to bail out his side whenever given the opportunity. The 27-year-old had proved himself worthy when he was required to fill in for Mendy against Tottenham. Even in EFL Cup games, the Spanish shot-stopper had the most significant impact as Chelsea won both games on penalties.
KepaTheBlues
0
I buy this your idea, that's why I like some coaches, give Kepa regular starter in Champions league since he missed the premier league one, and some players like Barkley should be added more chances.
🤣🤣🤣🤣kepa has his period at chelsea..
OG-Savage
0
Chelsea should try this formation against Zenith. I feel Malang Sarr can play 3. Rose Barkley too needs to be given some game time. We need to rest Joginho. He's becoming complacent.
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Werner out
oawonuga
1
Please no kepa, I just think mendy is still our best
Mendy is getting over confident. All the talk about how good he is has affected him. He needs his brain to reset.
Chelseawealth
0
jorginho needs to be subbed for this game
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😂😂
Andy_Mac
0
tomorrow game didn't matter? let Chelsea lose tomorrow game or draw it then meet Team like Bayern, Madrid or Ajax then you will know how much this game is important to Chelsea
Doesn't matter. If we're as good as we think we are, then we shouldn't fear any opponent. My main interest right now is the PL. I want us to rest key players tomorrow just like Liverpool and Man City have done tonight.
Zuma1989
4
I'd like Kepa to play against Zenit. The UCL result tomorrow really doesn't matter. We've qualified and that's what matters the most. Kepa needs to be ready for the cup games ahead. Tomorrow will be a good practice match.
tomorrow game didn't matter? let Chelsea lose tomorrow game or draw it then meet Team like Bayern, Madrid or Ajax then you will know how much this game is important to Chelsea
Wachet
1
Wait what? No ways. Mendy should play the PL games when available. There's no way Tuchel should allow Kepa to play ahead of Mendy in the PL. Otherwise we should kiss our title hopes goodbye.
You're right on this one Andy. But if I heard him right I think it's what he said this afternoon. Watch the latest interval it was this afternoon on Chelsea football club on YouTube.
Andy_Mac
0
i understand you but let me tell you, right now with the way injuries are hampering the team's strength, we are not ready to face the best teams at a early stage, until we have all our firepower back, the first position is the most important thing right now and the league is a long way to go and we are still in a good position, only two points behind man city and one behind Liverpool, so don't quick to panic
I disagree mate and let me explain why. The Round of 16 is in February and there's enough time and resources left for Chelsea to plan. We can still make some new signings if the injury crisis is big. Chelsea don't need to fear any opponent in the UCL because our strength has always been the defence. We're struggling to score goals. So winning PL games is the bigger challenge. Look at the upcoming PL fixtures all stacked up this month. December and January are the two most important months that will define our season. You say it's only a two point gap? If we're not ruthless enough in the PL, that gap will go from 2 points to 8 points by the end of the year. We cannot allow that to happen. We need to pile on the pressure at Man City and Liverpool. They need to blink in these coming weeks.
Andy_Mac
0
If I heard Tuchel very well today when asked about Mendy/Kepa he says changes will take place because we are facing Zenit on Wednesday then flay back on Thursday evening, on Saturday will be facing Leeds, so some players then will be tied and need to be rested. I think Mendy will be keeper for tomorrow then on Saturday Kepa will take it
Wait what? No ways. Mendy should play the PL games when available. There's no way Tuchel should allow Kepa to play ahead of Mendy in the PL. Otherwise we should kiss our title hopes goodbye.
Wachet
0
We've suffered enough injuries. It won't hurt us to play Kepa tomorrow as we've already qualified
If I heard Tuchel very well today when asked about Mendy/Kepa he says changes will take place because we are facing Zenit on Wednesday then flay back on Thursday evening, on Saturday will be facing Leeds, so some players then will be tied and need to be rested. I think Mendy will be keeper for tomorrow then on Saturday Kepa will take it
Wachet
0
If Kepa is not given the chance to regain his sharpness back,then what happens when Mendy leaves for the Africa cup of Nations?
yeah of course kepa will have to come in
abdoulh
1
I buy this your idea, that's why I like some coaches, give Kepa regular starter in Champions league since he missed the premier league one, and some players like Barkley should be added more chances.
MickieMoses
0
The British media is very unfortunate if a white make a mistakes no shouting..now Mendy is black with his one mistake...he is condemned as a criminal.. Why????
So was Kepa a black too??
Danieljoeltangeni
2
Please no kepa, I just think mendy is still our best
midestivah
0
Doesn't matter if we finish first or second. Right now, I don't really care anymore. If we're such a strong team as we think we are, we should fear nobody. We're here to defend our UCL title. If we must do that, we face all the toughest possible opponents at some point in the campaign. Right now, the PL should be the main focus. We need 3 points there at all costs. I think picking Kepa tomorrow is also good because he will be needed in January - like it or not. So we need him to be physically and mentally prepared for those games.
i understand you but let me tell you, right now with the way injuries are hampering the team's strength, we are not ready to face the best teams at a early stage, until we have all our firepower back, the first position is the most important thing right now and the league is a long way to go and we are still in a good position, only two points behind man city and one behind Liverpool, so don't quick to panic
Andy_Mac
0
my problem with Chelsea is that they get carried away by the price involved in kepa transfer to Chelsea, coming in and save a spot kick in shootout does not mean a keeper is good, the goals he has conceded in the last two matches he played showed he can't still be trusted, I hope you guys realize the importance of this match as finishing 1st in the group is in our own hands right?Mendy make mistakes in one match doesn't mean he's now worse than kepa or he will do it again, Kepa has 2 years to show us how good he is but he never did
Doesn't matter if we finish first or second. Right now, I don't really care anymore. If we're such a strong team as we think we are, we should fear nobody. We're here to defend our UCL title. If we must do that, we face all the toughest possible opponents at some point in the campaign. Right now, the PL should be the main focus. We need 3 points there at all costs. I think picking Kepa tomorrow is also good because he will be needed in January - like it or not. So we need him to be physically and mentally prepared for those games.
Andy_Mac
0
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
We've suffered enough injuries. It won't hurt us to play Kepa tomorrow as we've already qualified
Andy_Mac
2
I'd like Kepa to play against Zenit. The UCL result tomorrow really doesn't matter. We've qualified and that's what matters the most. Kepa needs to be ready for the cup games ahead. Tomorrow will be a good practice match.
nodaopstuz
0
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
If Kepa is not given the chance to regain his sharpness back,then what happens when Mendy leaves for the Africa cup of Nations?
nodaopstuz
0
The British media is very unfortunate if a white make a mistakes no shouting..now Mendy is black with his one mistake...he is condemned as a criminal.. Why????
You mean they were not lashing and bashing Kepa when he was struggling?
Zumcdmt
2
Edou to the End, Kepa had his chance and wasted it.
midestivah
0
them no talk see make we no use Mendy again. mendy should rest because of weekend. we have already qualified for next round. so please let mendy rest a little. we get match for weekend and we must win the match
my blooda mendy no tire, we don qualify but not as first, if you remember well no season that we finish second na it lead to early exit from the UCL, first is a way to go and lift the trophy, or you just want to participate ni?
AtoSpuki
1
Chelsea should try this formation against Zenith. I feel Malang Sarr can play 3. Rose Barkley too needs to be given some game time. We need to rest Joginho. He's becoming complacent.
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Malag Sarr as a left back can work, Alonso is slow too much
solsamlah-3
0
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
it is well...bro...up blues
Wachet
0
seems u r reading from the back of your device. they only asked tuchel to rotate mendy so he can rest a bit.
No need to rest him in my opinion if they wanted to rest him why not before he made that error in the west ham match? Why didn't anyone give the opinion to rest him for Man U and Watford match? it's really stupid to think of resting Mendy now. You don't see Man City resting Edisson or Liverpool pool resting Alisson because they previously had a bad match. This is nonsense at it's peak.
Leabcdituy
0
i don't like this back pass of JORGINHO always. JORGINHO have cause us goal with this useless back pass. bench him
he did same against arsenal last season that ended the game 1- 0
ruobcenpsz
1
A silly society..
ruobcenpsz
3
The British media is very unfortunate if a white make a mistakes no shouting..now Mendy is black with his one mistake...he is condemned as a criminal.. Why????
dennisachafu
6
Chelsea should try this formation against Zenith. I feel Malang Sarr can play 3. Rose Barkley too needs to be given some game time. We need to rest Joginho. He's becoming complacent.
solsamlah-3
0
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
seems u r reading from the back of your device. they only asked tuchel to rotate mendy so he can rest a bit.
Wachet
0
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
99% good
Wachet
2
I think that's stupid reasoning you can't bench Mendy for Kepa just for that one mistake. Remember that 99% that Mendy has done, stop focusing on that 1% otherwise the rest that follows is jealous and hate for the guy
drstevenson
1
just bcos he's black he isn't prone to mistakes
everything for you is racism.
jakceily
0
juybcemprz
2
niggas think we gon have 90 mins of penalty shootout
babinski
0
my problem with Chelsea is that they get carried away by the price involved in kepa transfer to Chelsea, coming in and save a spot kick in shootout does not mean a keeper is good, the goals he has conceded in the last two matches he played showed he can't still be trusted, I hope you guys realize the importance of this match as finishing 1st in the group is in our own hands right?Mendy make mistakes in one match doesn't mean he's now worse than kepa or he will do it again, Kepa has 2 years to show us how good he is but he never did
them no talk see make we no use Mendy again. mendy should rest because of weekend. we have already qualified for next round. so please let mendy rest a little. we get match for weekend and we must win the match
midestivah
4
my problem with Chelsea is that they get carried away by the price involved in kepa transfer to Chelsea, coming in and save a spot kick in shootout does not mean a keeper is good, the goals he has conceded in the last two matches he played showed he can't still be trusted, I hope you guys realize the importance of this match as finishing 1st in the group is in our own hands right?Mendy make mistakes in one match doesn't mean he's now worse than kepa or he will do it again, Kepa has 2 years to show us how good he is but he never did
midestivah
0
TT needs to rest rudiger, pulisic, ziyech, mendy, James to avoid fatigue and give sarr, barkley, azpeliquata, mbuyamba and kepa at least chance
So who are the players that will give us a victory in the match? do you think the match is useless? I hope you know the consequences of finishing as runner up in the UCL group? it's a sign of early elimination
medadiknu
1
put sarr in defensive midfield
ShubhankurSharma
1
Jorginho was 3rd in ballon d'or. He's not even 3rd in Chelsea midfield.
medadiknu
0
please TT try marang sarr in midfield he played a lot on that position
Zadaiklor
0
just bcos he's black he isn't prone to mistakes
i don't like this back pass of JORGINHO always. JORGINHO have cause us goal with this useless back pass. bench him
wachiraah
0
put Barkley instead of ziyech
Yeah
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
but it's the nickname, you can't do anything about it, I think it's better than red devil or any devil
we haven't used that "nickname " in over 50 years or so we prefer Pride of London bentley's boy The blues and many more
jedadikny
2
TT needs to rest rudiger, pulisic, ziyech, mendy, James to avoid fatigue and give sarr, barkley, azpeliquata, mbuyamba and kepa at least chance
TanaDekidzw29
1
We are good to go
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put Barkley instead of ziyech
homcnrstuz
0
jorginho needs to be subbed for this game
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Jorginho and Alonso are costly
Finbdklpr
0
I stopped ✋reading the Article the moment they mentioned the word pensioners All Football is rude
but it's the nickname, you can't do anything about it, I think it's better than red devil or any devil
fikdloprz
1
so amazing
Eriq
3
We are good to go