Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has a “new start” at Chelsea but the club has to “manage expectations” with the player, says manager Thomas Tuchel.
Kepa, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper at £72m, has been second choice at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Edouard Mendy in September.
Tuchel said Kepa “doesn’t have to overachieve” when he plays.
Kepa joined from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao in 2018 but failed to live up to expectations and was dropped by former boss Frank Lampard following a series of errors. He has made only one Premier League appearance since the arrival of Mendy.
Tuchel said: “I want him to play a normal match. He does not have to show me or anybody else he is ready to be Spain’s number one in the summer.
“He just has to show his quality. Not more or less. So we have to manage expectations because I don’t expect him to score and keep a clean sheet.
“I just want him to help us with his quality and for him to give a solid performance to help the team. He has big goals to achieve and big personal ambition. But this is normal; it’s why he’s here.
“The good thing for him is that we start new, it’s a new start for him. I don’t have a history with him and I hope there will be no difficulties, because I don’t see them coming.”
SOURCE: /www.bbc.com/sport/football
