Chelsea boss Frank Lampard denies fallout with Marina Granovskaia over Kepa decision

Posted Saturday, February 22, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard denies fallout with Marina Granovskaia over Kepa decision
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga (Image: GETTY)

Kepa Arrizabalaga has been dropped by Frank Lampard for Chelsea in recent weeks.

Frank Lampard has denied that he has fallen out with Marina Granovskaia over his decision to drop goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard has lost his place as Chelsea’s No 1 for the past few games, with Willy Caballero installed as first choice following several below par performances from Kepa.

Yet Lampard has strongly denied that there is tension between him and the Russian-Canadian director.

Granovskaia sanctioned the world-record signing of Kepa in the summer of 208 for a fee of £71million, which is why there may be frustration in the boardroom over his lack of playing time.

"Certainly not [at odds with Marina for dropping him],” Lampard said.

“I am absolutely together with the club and the board. We all want the best.

“I am paid to make decisions. It has been a decision to make on form with the goalkeeping situation."

When pushed for an answer on who will start against Tottenham, Lampard has claimed he is yet to make up his mind.

"It isn't a final decision, the keepers need to train,” he added.

Kepa has the worst save percentage (53 percent) out of the other 19 starting Premier League goalkeepers this season.

It's a stat that has seen Lampard take action in hope that he can turn things around once he is reinstated into the starting line up.

Express Sport understands that Chelsea are exploring the idea of replacing Kepa at the end of the season.

Nick Pope is a player that has impressed Blues scouts and they will continue to monitor the Burnley shot-stopper for the rest of the campaign.

Andre Onana has also reportedly emerged as a target and he’s a player Chelsea are aware of having played against Ajax in the Champions League.

The Amsterdam club are looking for around £33m to sanction his exit.

Barcelona are also keen on bringing him back to Catalonia.

He spent five years at La Masia and has developed a fine reputation in Holland after impressing in last year’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Kepa was also dropped by Maurizio Sarri last season, following their row in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The former Athletic Bilbao man went down with cramp before claiming he was fine to carry on, Sarri then went to substitute him but he refused to leave the field.

He did regain his place in the side just a few games later though.