Rudiger has a message for Chelsea fans regarding Kepa Arrizabalaga

It was only a few days ago that Kepa Arrizabalaga went from
another promising youngster at Athletic Bilbao to the
world’s most expensive goalkeeper at €80 million. That kind
of pressure can get to people much older than the 23-year-
old, and yet, in both words and actions, it’s not something
that appears to affect him at all.
On Saturday, in the 3-0 win against Huddersfield, he wasn’t
greatly tested, but most agree that whatever tests he was
presented with, he passed with flying colors.
His distribution was generally smart and accurate, his
involvement in the passing game was useful and safe, and
his sweeping up behind the high line was well-timed and
crucial.
Those are the sorts of qualities goalkeepers need in spades
these days, so while on a few occasions the command of his
area and especially his aerial presence were not quite as
strong as what we had been used to from Thibaut Courtois,
that did not matter in the end.
He will also likely get used to and improve in those
departments, much like his compatriot David De Gea has
done over the years. (His early struggles in that department
are fairly famous, in fact.)
Center back Antonio Rüdiger highlighted another area where
Kepa impressed, communication. Communication is key,
whether in life or on the football pitch.
“He did well. He tried to speak as much as he could. It was
good, we have a good understanding and he is a quality
player. He did well with [communication]. When we needed
to help him, we helped him. Today in general for us was a
very good day.”
Another positive: confidence, something that’s required
from all goalkeepers.
“I wish [Courtois] good luck at Real Madrid but now we
have to concentrate on Kepa because he is our goalkeeper.
In his work he is very confident and off the pitch he is a
quiet guy.”
So far so good then, even if Chelsea’s first Premier League
game under Maurizio Sarri was not perfect. The coach
himself made clear that improvement is needed, and this
will be the theme for at least the first few months.
Still, it was a much better showing than for most of
preseason. Chelsea in fact scored as many goals in this one
match than the five preseason matches combined! The
second half was especially promising, when our passing and
play happened at a much higher tempo than in the first.
“We are happy because our pre-season games were not that
good. Today we can be happy that we won the game – three
goals and a clean sheet for us. It’s not always easy to adapt
because it’s a new style of play, but I think that we moved
the ball well.”
“I think you say the players become more comfortable today.
It’s all about working on it in training and improving.”
-Antonio Rüdiger; Source: Goal
Onwards and upwards!