Real Madrid summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga has now admitted that he wished he joined Real Madrid years ago, and has been wowed by the club.
The 28-year-old joined on loan from Chelsea this summer following a long-term injury to Thibaut Courtois, and has been solid in his first few appearances for Los Blancos.
The goalkeeper nearly joined Real Madrid before joining Chelsea in 2018, and it seems he now regrets that the move did not materialise back then.
“In the last three seasons, with Chelsea, we had faced Madrid and when I arrived I always turned left, to the visiting locker room, and I wanted to turn right, to the home locker room,” he told MARCA.
“I had played there with the national team, but doing it with Madrid in the new Bernabeu was a pleasure.
“The stadium is spectacular, the atmosphere is tremendous and I have already been able to experience the first comeback.”
The perfect solution?
Disaster struck when Courtois ruptured his ACL in pre-season training, and Real Madrid had to scramble to find a replacement for this season.
Within days they had convinced him to join over Bayern Munich, and had landed themselves a Spanish international, La Liga experienced and European trophy-winning goalkeeper on a one-year loan deal.
It is unclear whether Real Madrid would look to keep Kepa beyond his loan once Courtois returns, but the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper now appears to be the best signing they could have made in the situation they found themselves in.
It is early days but so far his performances have looked promising. Whilst Courtois, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, is nearly irreplaceable, Kepa has the experience and quality to step in for a season, and he is clearly relishing his opportunity to succeed at the club.