The last few weeks have been full of uncertainty, but one thing is for sure: football is not going to be the same again. Europe’s top five leagues are likely to be even more uneven playing fields than they are currently and the gap between the so-called “elite clubs” and those that are languishing in mid-table and in the lower half of the standings will only widen.
People are talking about big clubs not being able to sign marquee players this summer. This is true. Some clubs will also have to keep hold of players whom they may have intended to initially sell. In the case of Chelsea, they may have to keep hold of Kepa despite their reservations. The Spaniard was initially considered a safe option to leave the Blues for those using gambling-promotion.codes to bet on the football transfer markets, but the odds suggest the goalkeeper will now remain at the club.
Kepa was brought in as a direct replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who left Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2018 in order to link up with Real Madrid. The 25-year-old was not at his best during his first season with the West London club. Such was understandable, given that he had to adjust to the demands of English football after relocating to England from Spain. However, many were left frustrated as Kepa continued to not achieve consistency this season and some suggested that he was simply not a fit at the club. The Blues were heavily linked with a move for Andre Onana of Ajax Amsterdam and AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer.
Onana was impressive for Ajax last season as the Dutch giants won the Eredivisie and reached the semi-final stage of the Champions League. Donnarumma has been touted as the next Gianluigi Buffon.
Why Chelsea may have to stick with Kepa?
Chelsea could not bring in a direct replacement for Eden Hazard last summer as a result of their transfer ban. They may have to prioritise bringing in a replacement for the Belgian this summer, which could mean that they will have to compromise and give Kepa another chance to prove himself between the sticks.
