Chelsea star reveals true reaction to falling out with Lampard

Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted that his fall-out with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been brushed under the carpet.

The Spaniard was warned that his place in the starting lineup was not to be taken for granted when Lampard dropped him earlier in the season, despite his high-profile as the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time.

Kepa has since reclaimed his starting berth from Willy Caballero, and although rumours about his future continue to circulate, he now says that he never took Lampard’s decision to drop him personally.

“The relationship with Frank is very good,” Kepa told Marca (via the Metro). “He has shown me confidence from the first moment.

“He must make decisions, but I feel I have his confidence, both his and that of the whole club. We all like to play in every game.

“We play 50 or 60 games a year and it is difficult to stay on the same level.

“The important thing is to be very clear about the objective, to work and put everything into improving. There may be obstacles along the way, but when you have a clear objective, it is easier.

“The only thing that can be done, in these cases, is to take it professionally, respectfully and work harder to turn it around.”

Lampard himself has also commented on Kepa’s future, insisting that reports he could leave in the summer are “false”.

Nonetheless, the Blues continue to be linked with a vast array of potential replacements, including the likes of Ugurcan Cakir, Juan Musso and Andre Onana.