By Kalu Onyemaechi
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has praised his teammate Kepa Arrizabalaga, after another superb performance in a penalty shoot-out against Southampton on Tuesday night.
The England defender tweeted “I think Kepa can read minds” with a laugh-out-loud emoji.
Kepa made a stunning double save from two corner kicks late in the game to take the Blues into penalty shoot-outs after it ended one goal apiece in regulation time.
Kai Haverts had put the European champions in front with a header just before the stroke of half time. Che Adams equalised in the 47th minute after what seemed to be an error from Kepa.
The Spanish International guessed right to keep away Theo Walcott penalty just enough for it to crash into the upright. Then, William Smallbone shot wide under pressure, handing Kepa another win in his third penalty shoot-out of the season.
The Spaniard had already been the shoot-out hero twice this season, winning the Super Cup against Villarreal and securing their space in the fourth round of the League Cup against Aston Villa. He now holds the record of making the most penalty shoot-out saves in Chelsea’s history – an outstanding eight penalty saves.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper has only lost two out of seven penalty shoot-outs since arriving West London in August 9, 2018.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has not hesitated to shower praises on the penalty specialist.
“When everyone thinks about stoppage time and penalties it is a dangerous moment, you can lose concentration. It was important that Kepa kept us in the game with the double header save from the set pieces.”
Slowly but surely, Kepa is winning back the hearts of the fans after a series of horrible show that paved the way for Edouard Mendy.
