Thomas Tuchel has revealed his decision to introduce Kepa Arrizabalaga for Chelsea’s Super Cup penalty shootout against Villarreal was pre-planned, with the Spaniard superior at saving spot-kicks.
Kepa started on the bench but came on for Edouard Mendy in the dying moments of extra time before inspiring the club to victory.
Gerard Moreno had cancelled out Hakim Ziyech’s opener to take the game beyond normal time before Wednesday’s match was decided through a contest from 12 yards.
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The shootout got off to the worst possible start for Chelsea as Kai Havertz’s effort was saved by Sergio Asenjo but Kepa denied Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol to ensure the London club prevailed.
‘No, no. It was not spontaneous. We talked about it with the goalkeepers when we came and had the first cup game against Barnsley,’ Tuchel explained to BT Sport shortly after Chelsea’s win.
‘So we had some statistics, we were well prepared, [knowing] that Kepa is the best percentage at saving penalties.
‘The analysing guys, the goalkeeping coaches showed me, introduced me to the data and then we spoke with the players that this can happen when we play in knockout games.
‘And since then they know it. It’s fantastic how Edou accepts it, it’s fantastic how this talk went on the morning before the cup game against Barnsley – and since then they know.
‘Of course, we needed to do what’s best for the team so if we needed a sixth change before it was necessary… but I’m happy that it worked.’
Tuchel added: ‘There is proof that Kepa is better in this discipline and these guys are true team players. I’m happy for Kepa and happy for Edou.
‘To have goalkeepers like this that does not show their pride to not step off the field, that was happy to do it and take this for the team is top.’
Tuchel also explained that Chelsea’s penalty shootout tactics had been discussed with Kepa and Mendy and both had ‘accepted’ their place in the pecking order.
‘I mentioned several times since I arrived that we have an unbelievable amount but also quality of support in the club and in the organisation and structure in the club,’ the German said.
‘And this is one of the good examples. When we arrived in my first cup game against Barnsley, we had this talk with the goalkeeper coaches and the analysing department who came up with a statistic that Willy Caballero is the best at penalties.
‘They analysed thousands of penalties from Willy and then the second best is Kepa and then the third best was Edou in this statistic.
‘So we talked to all three of the goalkeepers very openly that when it can be that we have a situation like today and we have a change left, that we take this change. Not for personal reasons, but to help the team’s chances because we have this proof of statistic.
‘The three of them – Willy is not there anymore – accepted it, it showed the spirit that this team trains and lives together and said: “This is absolutely no problem!”
