‘As daft as it sounds’: Ally McCoist says Chelsea have let their best player in one position go out on loan
Chelsea have so many different players out on loan in the current 2024/25 season, and many of them are probably good enough to improve the current Blues squad.
The Chelsea loan list right now includes the likes of Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi. Elsewhere, Blues-owned talents Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic are shining at sister club Strasbourg in France.
As it stands, Blues manager Enzo Maresca is under pressure from supporters to finish the season strongly by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. If it was possible, we suspect he would love to recall several loanees to help his team’s cause.
Chelsea want to sell several players this summer, including some high-profile stars out on loan. However, we’re optimistic that some may be drafted into the first-team group at Stamford Bridge next season.
- READ MORE: What Chelsea’s plan is with loanee Andrey Santos for the Club World Cup as new role suggested
Ally McCoist thinks Kepa Arrizabalaga is the best goalkeeper owned by Chelsea
According to Ally McCoist, on-loan Bournemouth star Kepa Arrizabalaga is the best goalkeeper on Chelsea’s books right now.
The 30-year-old shot-stopper has enjoyed regular football at the Vitality Stadium since his move to Bournemouth on a season-long loan last summer. In contrast, the Blues have had real issues in between the sticks so far during the 2024/25 campaign.
When asked if Kepa is Chelsea’s best goalkeeper, McCoist told talkSPORT: “In answer to your question, yes, I think he is. I actually think he is. As daft as it sounds, I think it’s a brilliant question, the more I think about it, he probably is.”
While Kepa has performed consistently in Bournemouth colours this season, both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have struggled at Chelsea to prove they deserve the role as the club’s starting goalkeeper.
To add even more confusion to the mix, the Blues have youngster Mike Penders joining them from Genk in the summer. Also, Djordje Petrovic has been excellent during his loan spell with Strasbourg.
Here is a look at how the aforementioned goalkeepers have performed across all competitions in the 2024/25 season.
| Player | Club | Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
| Robert Sanchez | Chelsea | 28 | 33 | 7 |
| Filip Jorgensen | Chelsea | 19 | 18 | 8 |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | Bournemouth | 29 | 37 | 7 |
| Djordje Petrovic | Strasbourg | 26 | 31 | 9 |
| Mike Penders | Genk | 28 | 33 | 9 |
It’s been claimed that Chelsea will have a full goalkeeper review this summer around Sanchez, Jorgensen, Petrovic and Penders. Apparently, two could stay at the club, one could be loaned out, and one could be sold.
Meanwhile, Kepa’s future will soon be decided as he prepares for imminent talks. It’s been reported that Kepa will not continue with Chelsea, the club he joined permanently back in 2018, but it remains to be seen where he’ll end up playing his football next season.
As he’s shown this season, Kepa is a good fit for a mid-table club in the Premier League where the expectation is a little less intense.
Kepa Arrizabalga one of the worst signings in Chelsea’s history
Even though Kepa is a decent goalkeeper, he won’t be remembered too kindly in Chelsea’s history.
The Blues paid a mammoth £71.6m (Sky Sports) to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. Unfortunately, he made too many big errors in Chelsea colours, so eventually lost his place to Edouard Mendy before spells out on loan in the last couple of years.
| Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
| 163 | 175 | 59 |
We definitely agree that the ship has sailed on Kepa’s career at Stamford Bridge despite the goalkeeping issue at the club right now.
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