Concerns as Kepa set to return to Chelsea after Real Madrid loan expires

According to emerging reports, Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to return to Chelsea when his loan deal expires as Real Madrid seems to have concerns over the Spaniard.

Chelsea spent £71.6m to sign the goalkeeper in 2018 but inconsistencies saw him face a battle with Edouard Mendy for a spot in the XI for large spells.

This summer marked Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival as head coach at Stamford Bridge. Following Mendy’s departure to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Pochettino was eager for Arrizabalaga to remain at the club. However, the 29-year-old decided to pursue a one-year loan deal with Real Madrid instead.

This move prompted the west London side to secure Robert Sanchez as their new primary goalkeeper. Reports from Spanish outlet AS suggest that Arrizabalaga’s return to Chelsea is anticipated at the season’s end.

Real Madrid only decided to sign Arrizabalaga as emergency cover for Thibaut Courtois, who picked up a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury, and even then, he was never the Spanish club’s first choice.

Real Madrid had originally wanted to sign Bono from Sevilla instead of Arrizabalaga, but he ended up moving to Saudi club Al Hilal.

It is reported that Real Madrid have doubts over Arrizabalaga’s aerial ability and the command of his penalty area.

Arrizabalaga recently had a spell out with injury and now faces a battle to keep his spot in the Real Madrid XI with Andriy Lunin.

He could be set to compete with Sanchez for the No.1 role at Chelsea when he makes his expected return to England.

Arrizabalaga is under contract until 2025 and had been strongly linked to Bayern Munich before he arrived in the Spanish capital.