Chelsea blasted for 'unbelievable' transfer call which has strengthened Arsenal
Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to join Arsenal for just £5m due to a release clause in his contract, but the Spaniard would likely have to settle for the No 2 goalkeeping spot behind David Raya
Former Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips has slammed his old club for selling goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal for just £5million, insisting he is "confused" after the Spaniard's "unbelievable" season on loan at Bournemouth.
Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge for a record £72m in 2018 and was seen as one of next best goalkeepers in world football, but he struggled to repay that enormous fee as he produced some inconsistent displays across the next two seasons.
In 2020, Chelsea opted to buy a new keeper as Edouard Mendy arrived and immediately displaced Kepa in goal, forcing him to become a bench option.
While he enjoyed more game time in 2022-23, he spent the next two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth - the latter of which he became a fan favourite after finding his best form once again.
But despite Enzo Maresca lacking his own clear No.1 choice after some uninspiring displays from Robert Sanchez - and failing to sign Mike Maignan - the Blues are in talks to sell Kepa to Arsenal for just £5m. That fee was negotiated into Kepa's contract when he signed an extension last summer.
And Wright-Phillips, who played 125 times for Chelsea between 2005 and 2009, has been left baffled by the club's decision to let him go.
"I'm confused. I don't understand,' the former England star told Betway while discussing Kepa's impending move. It's like nobody's been watching Kepa this season. He's been unbelievable. He is part of the reason why Bournemouth finished where they finished. 'The defence was outstanding, but Kepa was unbelievable, as well, I thought.
"I assumed while the season was going on that Chelsea didn't need to buy a goalkeeper because Kepa was going back anyway, but that isn't to be the case.
"So if Chelsea can get their defence like that, where they're not making him make unnecessary saves he shouldn't have to make, then I think Kepa is your man to keep. You don't need to forage around.
"Most managers now are looking for goalkeepers that are good with their feet. I think Kepa's alright with his feet, but he might not be at the level they want him to be. But for me, it's a real strange one."
Kepa has played a total of 163 times for Chelsea and enjoyed 35 outings for Bournemouth last season - though there have now been question marks over his potential move to Arsenal because he is set to play second fiddle behind No 1 David Raya.
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has even urged the player to reject a move to the Emirates and questioned whether he is eager for as much game time as possible.
"It's all on whether he wants to play, he's not going to play at Arsenal is he?" he told talkSport. "He's going to be the No.2, do you want to be No.2? He's obviously been No.1 at Bournemouth. If I was a keeper at his age I'd want to play because you'll regret it once you finish."
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