‘Rather face him’: David Seaman suggests he’s hoping £22m player starts for Chelsea vs Arsenal on Sunday
David Seaman suggests Arsenal would rather Chelsea have Edouard Mendy in goal over Kepa Arrizabalaga for Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Speaking on his own podcast, the iconic goalkeeper voiced his opinion on the two current Stamford Bridge shot stoppers.
Mendy and Kepa have shared the gloves since the start of the season, due to a combination of injuries and a managerial takeover.
Thomas Tuchel favoured the £22m Senegal international right up until his departure in September.
An injury to Mendy then allowed his understudy to become the main character, a role he duly excepted.
Kepa started 11 games in a row before being removed at half-time against Brighton & Hove Albion due to sustaining his own injuries.
In that period of successive starts, the Spaniard kept five clean sheets and earned a nomination for the October Premier League Player of the Month award.
The celebrations sadly came to an end last weekend, with the world’s most expensive ‘keeper now set for a period on the side-lines.
This means Mendy will retain the gloves for the London derby on Sunday.
Mendy prepares for Arsenal
Despite his clear quality, Arsenal might be rubbing their hands together at the thought of facing a player who’s mostly been out in the cold this term.
“At this moment, you’d rather face Mendy because he hasn’t played for a while,” said Seaman on his former side.
“Kepa has been playing really well, there’s no doubt about that. He’s been making some big saves.
“In both of them, you’ve still got two highly quality, international goalkeepers.”
Depending how Mendy does between now and the World Cup, he could reaffirm his status as Chelsea’s number one.
Yet, with Potter showing clear loyalty to Kepa, earning the main position between the posts will not be easy.
“I’ll tell you what’s going to be interesting is who plays when they are both fit,” continued Seaman.
“When Kepa comes back, what happens? He only came in because Mendy got injured.
“So is it now a chance for Mendy to keep the gloves, or does he bring Kepa back in?”
Keep Arsenal at bay and by our reckoning, the spot is all yours, Edouard.
