Lampard refuses to discuss Kepa’s future after Chelsea win

Frank Lampard refused to discuss the issue of Kepa Arrizabalga’s future after Chelsea’s win over Wolves.

The 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge sealed the Blues’ Champions League spot for next season.

And bookmakers – including bookies not on Gamstop – will no doubt fancy their chances next term, given that Lampard is keen to improve the squad and has already signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

Boss Lampard left out Kepa, which will inevitably fuel speculation that the Spanish keeper will be offloaded this summer.

Lampard, whose side face Arsenal in the FA Cup next weekend, was asked if he faced a “long, hard think” about how to improve Chelsea’s defensive record.

He replied: “I have long, hard thinks about everything – not just individual positions but how we are as a team.”

Lampard added: “The idea that we haven’t kept enough clean sheets is definitely not just a reflection of our goalkeeper.

“That’s something that we have to work on as a team and maybe look at how we train and how we recruit going forward.

“But I don’t want to pinpoint it on Kepa today. The Kepa thing was a choice on recent form and the recent situation – it’s been a difficult time for him.

“I felt like Willy Caballero coming in with confidence off the back of his performance against Manchester United last week would be kind of what we needed for the game.

“I don’t want to jump forward beyond the Arsenal game next week. It would be wrong.

“The squad are really strong at the minute in terms of the unit and how they are on and off the pitch.

“I want that to stay for one more week domestically. Then we have the Bayern Munich game. Looking forward to next season will happen after that.”

Breakthrough seasons at Chelsea

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Chelsea finished fourth despite a challenging first year in the job for Lampard.

With talisman Eden Hazard having left, the club were under a transfer ban and a number of youngsters were given a chance.

The likes of Mason Mount have risen to the challenge and Lampard is more than happy with his squad’s efforts.

He said: “There were unknowns but you rely on the players you have and we’ve had breakthrough seasons.

“We’ve also seen the stories of players like Giroud, Willian, Kovacic, Pulisic and Jorginho who’ve really continued throughout the year.

“It’s a team effort and a collected effort of staff and players.”