Real Madrid have concerns over goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and it is likely he will return to Chelsea when his loan deal expires, according to reports.
The Blues slashed out £71.6m to sign the Spaniard in 2018 but inconsistencies saw him face a battle with Edouard Mendy for a spot in the XI for large spells.
Mauricio Pochettino came in as head coach this summer and after selling Mendy to Saudi club Al-Ahli, he was keen for Arrizabalaga to stay at Stamford Bridge, but the 29-year-old opted to join Real Madrid on a one-year loan deal instead.
That saw the west Londoners bring in Robert Sanchez as the club’s new No.1 goalkeeper but according to Spanish outlet AS, it is expected that Arrizabalaga will be on his way back to Chelsea at the end of the season.
Real Madrid only decided to sign Arrizabalaga as emergency cover for Thibaut Courtois, who picked up a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury, and even then, he was never the Spanish club’s first choice.
Real Madrid had originally wanted to sign Bono from Sevilla instead of Arrizabalaga, but he ended up moving to Saudi club Al Hilal.
It is reported that Real Madrid have doubts over Arrizabalaga’s aerial ability and the command of his penalty area.
Arrizabalaga recently had a spell out with injury and now faces a battle to keep his spot in the Real Madrid XI with Andriy Lunin.
He could be set to compete with Sanchez for the No.1 role at Chelsea when he makes his expected return to England.
Arrizabalaga is under contract until 2025 and had been strongly linked to Bayern Munich before his arrival in the Spanish capital.
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