Chelsea: Key role 'up for grabs' under Potter at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea‘s number one goalkeeper spot is still up for grabs, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Edouard Mendy has been the Blues’ first choice in recent years, but Phillips reckons that everyone is on a clean slate under Graham Potter’s guidance, which has seen Kepa Arrizabalaga come back into contention.

Chelsea’s uncertainties between the sticks are perhaps appropriate to their mixed start to the season.

In the Premier League, Mendy has started all–but one game, missing only the victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.

But Kepa has been ever-present in the Champions League, playing 90 minutes against Dinamo Zagreb, RB Salzburg and AC Milan this week.

Read more: Champions League 2022/23: Fixtures, Draw, Dates, Schedule, Final, Teams and Everything We Know So Far

The Spain international’s opportunity came about following Mendy’s injury sustained against West Ham, but the previously under pressure Kepa has generally done himself justice when he’s started.

Prior to this season, Mendy was far and away the club’s number one, highlighted by the fact he’s started almost every Premier League game since his arrival just over two years ago.

But Kepa now looks to be right back in the fold, especially after starting the first three games of the Potter era, leaving the recently-appointed Chelsea boss with a decision to make in the weeks and months ahead.

When asked who’s Potter’s preferred option right now, he told GIVEMESPORT: “I’ve been told that Potter has told the goalkeepers that the number one spot is up for grabs, and he will pick them purely on merit and not based on anything that has happened prior to his arrival.”

Mendy missed the win at Crystal Palace last weekend but returned to the squad against AC Milan in the