Chelsea ex-goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, has revealed where manager, Thomas Tuchel thinks he (Caballero) is better than the club’s first and second choice goalkeepers, Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Argentine also stated reasons he refused to sign a new deal with the Stamford Bridge outfit this summer.
Tuchel believes Caballero is better than the others in stopping penalties and had flipped his goalkeeping group for such duties after taken over as the club’s boss – making Caballero first choice, Kepa second and Mendy in third.
The Blues manager substituted No.1 Mendy for Kepa in extra-time during the European Super Cup against Villarreal last week as part of the master plan.
And the veteran goalkeeper revealed that Tuchel was even willing to substitute Mendy for him during their Champions League final against Manchester City in May.
“He did that in the Super Cup because Kepa was better at saving penalties than Edou,” the now out-of-contract Caballero told Goal.
“It’s incredible because ahead of Manchester City [in the Champions League final], he watched all the penalties that were being executed during training with the scouts of Chelsea.
“He considered an opportunity for me to be in the penalty shootout if that situation arrived in the final. He thought my emotion of being a Man City player before would also help.
“Because of this, he thought I might be a bit ahead of Kepa. He told me in this match that I would be the option.
“So I was watching the Super Cup, because I am a Chelsea fan supporting my friends, I said to my wife that Kepa is coming on soon.
“I was right and I was happy for Kepa because last season was tough for him. He missed the Euros but he saved the penalty and Chelsea won. The two of them showed an example for goalkeepers everywhere.”
Tuchel confirmed Caballero’s comments after the Villarreal game: “Willy Caballero is the best in penalty defending and they analysed a thousand penalties from Willy.”
Comments
Post a Comment