Ben Foster believes Chelsea need to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga and says the £72m goalkeeper should have saved Everton’s late equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues looked on course to clinch their fourth consecutive win after Kai Havertz restored Chelsea’s lead with a 76th-minute penalty.
But Everton substitute Ellis Simms scored his first goal for the club late on to earn Sean Dyche’s side a crucial point and frustrate the home fans.
Simms took on Blues centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly before beating Arrizabalaga from a tight angle, his strike squirming underneath the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Spain international Arrizabalaga has endured a turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge following his record-breaking £72m move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and Foster still doubts he has the pedigree to be Chelsea’s No. 1.
‘Let’s talk about Everton’s equaliser because I think Kepa should save it,’ the former Premier League goalkeeper said on his YouTube channel. ‘A top goalkeeper saves that.
‘This is a big moment, we’re in injury-time so if he saves that, it’s 2-1, three points, boom, everyone is happy. These are the fine margins but I think a top goalie has to save that.
‘It’s a slightly awkward one so I’ve got a bit of sympathy but you need to make those big saves. He fell a little bit short.
‘I don’t think Kepa is the right guy for it, full stop. I don’t think he’s the long-term solution.
‘I think at the end of the season either Mendy will get fit and get back in the team or they will need to go into the market and sign somebody.
‘They spent £70m on Kepa by the way and £25m on Mendy, that’s almost £100m on goalkeepers.’
More to follow…
