Club world cup final: Why Mendy started

Chelsea’s technical director, Petr Cech, in a statement, has revealed why Kepa Arrizabalaga was on the bench during the Blues 2-1 win over Brazilian side Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final on Saturday.

Kepa was benched in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the final, having had an impressive performance in the tournament.

The Spain International stood in for first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as the 29-year-old was away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

During this period, Kepa kept five clean sheets in the last eight games Chelsea played and was in top form during Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Al Hilal in the semi-final.

But Mendy, who rejoined the Blues shortly before the semi-final, having participated fully in Senegal’s celebrations of their AFCON victory, started at the goal post on Saturday.

“We have top goalkeepers, they both perform on the top level this season. It makes it hard. The same with the other players, 25 member squad but can only field 11 players,” Cech told Channel 4.

‘We chose to go with Edou because he’s our number one goalkeeper, he came over here, trained and is fit. I think it’s a hard decision to make but he’s our number one, he plays.”