Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy? Thomas Tuchel facing delicate call ahead of Club World Cup final

Edouard Mendy was given a hero’s welcome by Chelsea’s players after returning from the African Cup of Nations. But it was Kepa Arrizabalaga who was at the centre of their celebrations as they secured their place in the Club World Cup Final.

The back-up goalkeeper has given Thomas Tuchel a major dilemma ahead of that showdown with Palmeiras on Saturday.

The £71million Spaniard produced two crucial second-half saves as Chelsea’s nerves got the better of them in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal threatened to cause a shock.

Leading through Romelu Lukaku’s first half strike, the European champions suffered a wobble late on as their opponents grew in confidence and for the second time in as many games, it was Kepa who came to their rescue.

First, he was down sharply to deny Moussa Marega in a one-on-one and then produced a spectacular save when pushing Kanno Mohamed’s long-range effort around the post.

On Saturday, it was his extra-time penalty save that killed Plymouth’s hopes of an FA Cup upset.

The question now is how Tuchel plays it from here.

Earlier this week, first team coach Zsolt Low refused to offer any guarantees Kepa would hold onto his place following Mendy’s return to the fold.

The Senegal international is indisputably Chelsea’s No1, no matter Kepa’s form in his absence. But to drop him straight back into the team on Saturday would be a big call – and undoubtedly harsh on his understudy.

While Kepa holds the status of ‘cup keeper’ this competition presents something of a grey area.

Had Mendy not been on AFCON duty, would he have maintained his place in Abu Dhabi?

The domestic knockouts are one thing but it is Mendy who plays in the Champions League.

It is a delicate and, perhaps, pivotal moment in Kepa’s