Signed for £72 million in the summer of 2018, Kepa was touted as one of the world’s finest goalkeeping prospects, but a string of error-strewn performances eventually led Frank Lampard to bring in Edouard Mendy. But Tuchel has been full of praise for the Spaniard and his professionalism, adding that he has been impressed by what he has done so far this season, on the pitch and in training.
Thomas Tuchel said: “He (Kepa) is always pushing and is really an example of sportsmanship through and through. I have nothing but praise for him. He played good and did everything he is capable of producing. Every day he is in unbelievable spirit and does not take these decisions (to leave him out) personally and he does what it takes to be on his personal highest level. I am absolutely grateful to be his coach and he did very, very well. I am always very sure he will do well because of the way he is and the way he behaves and trains. Still, we of course have competition, and the decision is that unless something crazy happens that Edu starts – nothing has changed at the moment for him.”