Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s turnaround is complete as he tops Premier League list | OneFootball

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s career at Stamford Bridge appeared to be over when Chelsea spent £22 million on Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in September 2020.

The Spaniard endured a nightmare first two years at Chelsea after completing a record-breaking £71.6 million move from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018.

Kepa was only 23 at the time and lost his confidence after making a series of costly mistakes during matches. He also lost the faith of manager Frank Lampard, hence the signing of Mendy.

GiveMeSport VIDEO OF THE DAY

Pause

Unmute

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 7:58

Loaded: 0.00%

During the interrupted 2019-20 campaign it was revealed that Kepa had the worst save percentage of any goalkeeper in the Premier League that season.

In fact, the Spaniard apparently had the worst save percentage in Premier League history around that time.

Many footballers in Kepa’s situation would have crumbled amid the intense scrutiny.

But rather than head back to Spain with his tail between his legs, he knuckled down in the hope of winning back his first-team spot from Mendy.

Fast-forward to February 2023 and it’s fair to say that Kepa has silenced many of his doubters this season.

BetVictor.

And only two ‘keepers boast a better save percentage this season.

Let’s take a look at the list in full:

20. Gavin Bazunu (Southampton)

Save percentage: 52.40%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.50

Shot stopping score: 5.16

19. Illan Meslier (Leeds United)

Save percentage: 65%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.26

Shot stopping score: 6.66

18. Danny Ward (Leicester City)

Save percentage: 63.3%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.19

Shot stopping score: 6.69

17. Ederson (Manchester City)

Save percentage: 63.6%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.18

Shot stopping score: 6.74

16. Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)

Save percentage: 65.9%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.23

Shot stopping score: 6.80

15. Jose Sa (Wolves)

Save percentage: 66.7%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.15

Shot stopping score: 7.04

14. Robert Sanchez (Brighton)

Save percentage: 67.1%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.08

Shot stopping score: 7.23

13. David de Gea (Manchester United)

Save percentage: 69.7%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.10

Shot stopping score: 7.38

12. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

Save percentage: 70.5%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.11

Shot stopping score: 7.42

11. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Save percentage: 68.4%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.02

Shot stopping score: 7.46

10. Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace)

Save percentage: 71%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: -0.02

Shot stopping score: 7.46

9. Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Save percentage: 72.5%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.03

Shot stopping score: 7.89

8. Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham)

Save percentage: 72.1%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.08

Shot stopping score: 7.97

7. Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Save percentage: 74.3%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.06

Shot stopping score: 8.09

6. David Raya (Brentford)

Save percentage: 77.4%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.11

Shot stopping score: 8.44

5. Alisson (Liverpool)

Save percentage: 72.3%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.38

Shot stopping score: 8.67

4. Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Save percentage: 77.7%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.20

Shot stopping score: 8.67

3. Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Save percentage: 82.1%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.13

Shot stopping score: 8.84

2. Neto (Bournemouth)

Save percentage: 83%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.35

Shot stopping score: 9.41

1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)

Save percentage: 81.5%

Goals prevented per 90 mins: +0.54

Shot stopping score: 9.73

Fair play, Kepa.

His turnaround since 2020 has been nothing short of extraordinary and shows what’s possible if players get their head down and keep working hard, regardless of what others are saying about them.