Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel praises ‘unbelievable’ Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of Leeds game

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is the perfect example of a professional athlete ahead of their Premier League game against Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Spanish goalkeeper was one of the top performers in Russia, despite Chelsea giving up a lead to eventually draw 3-3 against Zenit in the Champions League.

The 27-year-old has slowly rebuilt his career at Stamford Bridge and has shown glimpses of the form that made Chelsea smash the world transfer record for goalkeepers to sign in 2018.

He was in post when the Blues won the UEFA Super Cup in Belfast, and has been a hero during most penalty shoot-outs they faced in the cup competitions.

His performance against Zenit is the latest in line of a series of good performances that is instilling faith that he could keep the Blues in hunt for the Premier League title, even if Eduoard Mendy spent a month at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Thomas Tuchel, who took over from Frank Lampard and went onto win the Champions League, says he’s been blown away by the goalkeeper’s spirit and mentality even in the face of adversity.

He said: “He is always pushing and that’s a good thing. He really is an example of sportsmanship through and through.

“I have nothing but praise for him. Praise of course because he played well.

“Much more importantly, praise because I did everything to be able to produce a performance like this.

“Every day he has an unbelievable spirit. He does not take these decisions personally.

“He is here and does what it takes to be on his personal highest level to be ready. This is an example of how sports should be and at Chelsea. I am grateful to be his coach.

“He did very, very well and I am very sure that he would do well because of the way he is, behaves and trains.

“Still we have competition and the decision if nothing crazy happens tonight at the hotel is that Edou starts tomorrow. Nothing has changed there.”