Data for Areola is from the 2018-19 season because he didn’t play enough in 19-20.
Data has been taken from the amazing people at @fbref.
He is a very good GK, make no mistake about it, but does he fit what Chelsea need right now?
- Edouard Mendy is perhaps the best all-round GK among the three.
- I’ll leave the conclusion about Kepa to you.
He is 27 and is yet to be fully trusted at a big club. However you twist it, this is a big worry. Kevin Trapp and a past-it Buffon (his previous rivals at PSG) are hardly world-beaters.
Areola is pretty good but other big clubs haven’t trusted him over the course of a season. Can we?
Is he mentally ready to play at a club where every defeat is a disaster? No numbers can predict that, we can only wait and watch.
His parrying might worry some but it seems to be improving with time.
If Mendy improves over the course of this season, he might well become our long-term #1. Otherwise, we'll buy someone better. Win-win.
In pure footballing terms, Mendy is substantially better than what Chelsea have right now. If he can take the step up mentally, Chelsea have a really solid GK on their hands.
I’d genuinely appreciate RTs, follows and feedback.