Kepa Arrizabalaga opens up on problems at Chelsea

New signings and new managers can take time to gel, which is undoubtedly the case at Chelsea. It has been a hectic period at the club recently, with new owners coming in and rebuilding at Stamford Bridge.

Over €600m has been spent by Todd Boehly in the last two transfer windows as he looks to take Chelsea back to the top. But Wednesday night took the Chelsea owner back down to earth after he predicted his club would beat reigning European champions Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Changes “costing” Chelsea

Real Madrid ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio either side of the break and Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga discussed the ongoing issues at the London club after the defeat.

“We leave with the feeling that they have been superior, it has cost us a lot to play in the opposite half and to create chances,” Kepa said post-match.

“It could even have been worse after the expulsion because 30 minutes with one less [player] at the Bernabéu in the Champions League is a lot.

“They have had more chances, we have a lot to improve for the second leg. The feeling is that we are not at our level, we look at ourselves and the players are the first to be responsible.

“There have been three changes of coach, there have been changes in the squad during the season and it is costing us.”

Second leg at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea, who have it all to do after their first leg defeat, welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on Tuesday 18 April.