Kepa is no Courtois, but have patience

As new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga approaches his eighth game in a Chelsea shirt, it’s about time we assess both his progress and potential.

When news broke that Thibaut Courtois had transcended the boundaries of decency and gone AWOL in his bid to secure a long-mooted moved to Real Madrid, Chelsea were thrown under the proverbial bus. It wasn’t just that one of the world’s finest goalkeepers had jumped ship, but that there appeared little hope of adequately replacing him.

The transfer window was fast approaching it’s sell by date and every credible transfer outlet identified Jack Butland, a blatant downgrade, as the London club’s primary target. And given that it took the club the best part of two months to secure Maurizio Sarri, there remained genuine, and reasonable concern as to whether a deal, even for a lesser target, could be completed within the narrow time parameters.

It was thus surprising when the Chelsea hierarchy made an uncharacteristically efficient, if not extremely expensive move for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The CIES Football Observatory concluded that Chelsea overpaid by a staggering 45 million Euros, but in an age where a £71 million deal equates to what £25 million represented just a few years ago, Kepa won’t be exposed to the same level of scrutiny as Paul Pogba, et al.

The circumstances cultivated, and necessitated, a sense of urgency. Chelsea had to make a statement, and fast. The cost of failing to do so, namely starting the season with the chaotic Willy Caballero as first choice, rendered Kepa’s price tag the unequivocal lesser of two evils.

What’s more, there seemed to be little doubt regarding his pedigree. He wasn’t Bilbao’s first choice for nothing, and that old saying — there’s no smoke without fire — is as applicable as ever.

Spanish soccer expert Andy West offered his verdict: “Kepa in one word: composed,” he tweeted, “Bilbao is a truly massive club in the Basque region, effectively feels like a national team, and could be a daunting place to play … but he made it look easy.”

Yet at his new club, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that perhaps Kepa has not made things look so easy. Most notably, and perhaps most worryingly, when under the high ball. Kepa’s height, a relatively small 6-foot-2, was always going to send alarm bells ringing in a league where aerial soccer and physicality form a vital cog in many a side’s tactical machine.

Thus far this anxiety has largely been vindicated. In part due to his predecessor’s unique talent in this domain, but predominantly due to some flappy work reminiscent of a fish out of water.

The straightforward second half catch against Cardiff, awkwardly butchered behind for a corner, the inability to hold the high ball and release the pressure valve against Huddersfield,and the impression that the stereotypical “no nonsense” centre half could bully the Spaniard are all deja vu’s from David de Gea’s start to life in Manchester.

Recall the circumstances — a young, Spanish goalkeeper arrives from La Liga, unable to cope with the “cold Monday night at Stoke” litmus test and unaccustomed to route one soccer, but with cat like reflexes and bags of natural talent.

With time, the former is ironed out and the latter shines through. And while Kepa is not close to the level of scrutiny his compatriot received, his circumstances are similar.

His reputation as a shot stopper is yet to be be truly tested. Yet on the small sample available, it hasn’t quite cut the mustard. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s effort, although a good strike, ultimately went under Kepa’s arm as opposed to around. Had Arsenal been more clinical that day, Arrizabalaga wouldn’t have been let off so easily.

At Newcastle, much the same occurred. Joselu’s header was firmly met, but one couldn’t help but feel it was directed close enough to Kepa to be tipped over. A late winner once again saved his blushes. That said, the point blank block from Michail Antonio on Sunday was an impressive, and timely demonstration of what Kepa is all about.

Plus, where the Spaniard does appear an immediate upgrade is with the ball at his feet. For all his undeniable quality, Courtois cut a clumsy and anxiety-inducing figure on the ball. In contrast, Kepa exudes the confidence, calmness and vision that Sarri’s philosophy demands.

And in an age where there is an onus on goalkeepers not just to thwart attacks, but begin them too, securing a technically competent goalkeeper is more important now than ever. Just look at how Ederson transformed City, how Alisson has invigorated Liverpool.

Ultimately, Chelsea found themselves in what skeptics might term a lose-lose scenario. After all, where is the consolation in losing one of world football’s finest goalkeepers for an offensively low fee and replacing him with, in cynical terms, an expensive downgrade?

The answer is rooted potential, something Kepa appears to possess in abundance. Potential is contingent on time. Which, again, is something Kepa, on a colossal seven-year contract, is in no shortage of.

Yes, it hasn’t been a flying start, but nor has it been anywhere close to disaster. Nor is there a meaningful sample from which to judge. Although expect Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to change that this week.

For now, a fair assessment might read something like this: Kepa is no Courtois, but with patience, potential can go far.