Frank Lampard says he will continue to support Kepa Arrizabalaga after his latest error in Chelsea’s draw with Southampton, while he expects Edouard Mendy to return in the next two weeks.
The blues went two goals ahead on Saturday thanks to a Timo Werner brace but were pegged back twice in the match, with Vestergaard getting a goal in stoppage time to secure a draw for the Sanits.
Kepa made some good stops as Southampton dominated the entire second half, but was at fault for the away club’s second goal in the game.
Lampard was unhappy that the mistake by Kepa overshadowed an otherwise decent display – and still hopes he can get through this poor run of form.
Asked if the Spanish keeper is mentally strong enough to deal with another mistake, Lampard said: ‘He has to be strong enough, that’s part of the job we’re in when you’re playing top-level, elite sport.
‘All eyes are on, how competitive it is we know that, and the goalkeeper and their role means they have to really deal with that and these sort of moments. And that continues with Kepa.
‘He has to deal with that, he will feel the support of myself and he will feel the support of his teammates. And it’s unfortunate, because he did make a couple of good saves today.
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‘Of course, when you’re a goalkeeper, typically people will judge you on other moments sometimes as well. But he has to keep working, there’s only one way through those kind of periods and that’s work and to feel the support around him.’
Asked about the future of Kepa when Mendy returns from injury, Lampard said: ‘Well I was just talking about Kepa there. He made two really good saves in the match today, but of course people’s eyes will be drawn to the second goal and I understand that.
‘But it wasn’t just Kepa who was involved in that goal. So that’s the unfortunate world of being a goalkeeper.
‘And it’s clear that Mendy at the moment is injured and will probably be fit in the next week or two weeks, and then that will be the decision for me to make about who plays.’
