No way is not possible – Potter says there was no way Chelsea player was going to the World Cup after binging the latest update
Kepa Arrizabalaga had little chance of competing in the World Cup owing to injury, according to Chelsea manager Graham Potter.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Potter addressed the exclusion of his goalkeeper from the Spain team at a press conference prior to tomorrow’s Premier League match against Newcastle United.
Kepa was a member of Luis Enrique’s preliminary squad after reclaiming the starting goalkeeper position at Stamford Bridge from Edouard Mendy earlier in the season.
The 28-year-old returned to the team because of Mendy’s injury, but he deservedly earned his spot with a number of excellent performances.
But his standing in the Spain camp was never secure.
He was replaced by league rivals David Raya of Brentford and Robert Sanchez of Brighton & Hove Albion when he last appeared for the national team in 2020.
However, Kepa’s impressive play for Chelsea put him back in the running for a place at the Qatari table—that is, until calamity struck.
He was forced to leave the game against Brighton last month at halftime due to injury, and Mendy took his place.
That incident essentially ended the Spaniard’s flimsy World Cup dream.
Potter was unable to tell for sure if Kepa would have been on the flight even if there hadn’t been an injury.
When asked if the goalie had a chance, injuries permitting, he replied, “I have no idea.”
He is obviously not in training, thus it is not conceivable at this time.
Kepa stays away from the Spain team as others suffer
Kepa will be among a number of Chelsea players who will be frustrated not to be taking a Christmas vacation.
Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also had remote possibilities of being selected for England, with remote being the operative term.
Regarding the potential annoyance of Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek, Potter stated, “I had a quick conversation (with them).
They both have good judgement. Both of them are quite respectful and aware that the choice is not an easy one. But such is life. They consent to it.
Loftus-Cheek and Chalobah will instead train and prepare for the return of domestic football after the World Cup.
