Chelsea transfer news: Kepa expecting to achieve 'great things' after world-record move from Athletic Bilbao
The 23-year-old Spaniard was unveiled as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper on Thursday following the departure of Thibaut Courtois, who completed his move to Real Madrid on Wednesday
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Your support makes all the difference.Kepa Arrizabalaga has acknowledged that his world-record transfer fee bears testament to the rising value of goalkeepers in the modern game but insisted that his £71m price tag would not play on his mind.
The 23-year-old Spaniard was unveiled as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper on Thursday following the departure of Thibaut Courtois, who completed his move to Real Madrid late on Wednesday evening.
After Courtois made clear his desire to leave for the Spanish capital on his return from the World Cup – the Belgian notably skipped training on Monday morning in a bid to force through the move – Chelsea were forced into the market in search of a replacement.
The 2017 champions turned to Spain international Kepa in a £71m deal, making the youngster the most expensive goalkeeper in history.
This follows Alisson’s £61m move to Liverpool, which set a then world record before Kepa’s move, and reflects the rising financial worth of goalkeepers in the game.
Addressing the transfer, Kepa said via a translator: “The market in general has gone up in price a lot in the last few years. It has to do with a lot of things, like contracts with the media companies, but it is great to value goalkeepers.”
“In terms of the price, it’s something I don’t think about. I’m just going to be myself and try to give my best.
“It’s not in my mind. Chelsea has made a great bet in taking me. I’m really happy to be here and I’ll put everything in to repay the trust in me.
“I don’t think there will be additional pressure [from the price tag]. The only pressure I experience is the pressure I put on myself. I demand a lot from myself so I’ll just try to give everything I can to the team.”
When asked what he hopes to achieve at Chelsea, having signed a seven-year contract with the club, the Spaniard said: “I expect to achieve great personal growth and growth as a collective as a team. I hope we will win many many titles and that I can be proud of what I achieved.”
Kepa also urged the likes of Eden Hazard to stay at Chelsea amid reports linking the playmaker to Real Madrid. “I always like to have the best players in my team. For him, it is a personal situation but I hope to have the best players around me.”
This comes just hours after Courtois expressed his hope that Hazard would join him at the Bernabeu.
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