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Pochettino on why Kepa was left out of the Chelsea squad

13 Aug 2023
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Chelsea head coach explains why Spain international was absent as his side drew 1-1 with Liverpool

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Mauricio Pochettino has explained why goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was absent from the Chelsea side that drew 1-1 with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

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Robert Sanchez was handed his first start for Chelsea since signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, amid reports linking Spain international Kepa with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

"I explained to your colleagues before the game, he has to explore a different situation, a difficult possibility. That is why," Pochettino told the club's official website.

"Yesterday, we were talking and, for us, the decision was to have all the players who are committed and thinking of being at Chelsea for the season.

"We will see. If we have something to inform you on, we will inform."

When asked about Chelsea's reported bids for both Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and Southampton's Romeo Lavia, Pochettino did not expand further on the matter.

"Not at the moment, we don't know nothing," he said.

"We are working so hard at the moment, but if something happens we will inform you directly through the club"

James update

Pochettino also revealed why new club captain Reece James was substituted in the 76th minute.

“Because he was tired," explained Pochettino. "The first thing we did when we arrived was to assess the players from the past and he was injured three or four months and pre-season was tough for him.

"Of course, we didn’t want to take any risk. We wanted to keep our way a little bit.”

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