Chelsea had high hopes for Kepa Arrizabalaga when they spent £71.6 million on him in 2018.

However, he has failed to live up to expectations.

Kepa is currently in the middle of what has been an error filled season.

His form has been so bad that Frank Lampard decided to drop him for their recent game against Leicester last weekend.

Willy Caballero, 38, started in his place as Chelsea drew 2-2 at the King Power Stadium.

There has even been rumours that Lampard is looking for a new goalkeeper to replace Kepa.

The fact that he dropped him on the weekend only fuels those reports. Former club Athletic Bilbao have been rumoured to be interested.

Chelsea fans have been baffled by Kepa's loss of form, but a reason has been given for his troubles between the sticks.

According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, his close friends and family have attributed his poor form to recently splitting up with his long-term girlfriend.

He had been with Andrea Perez for nine years before their split.

El Mundo, per the Mirror: “Those close to him are clear about one of the main reasons for his drop in form, his recent split with his long-term girlfriend.”

The report also quoted an unnamed friend, who said: “He’s suffering quite badly. His partner went with him to London when he left his former club Athletic Bilbao and had been his rock until the relation ended.

“His parents, who still live in the Basque town of Ondarroa, try to spend time with him but emotionally he’s pretty low at the moment.”

You've got to feel sorry for him. It's clear something hasn't been right in recent times.

Given he lost his place to Caballero last weekend, he will have to do everything in his power to get himself in the right mental state to win his place back.

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