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#1 Kepa Arrizabalaga
With time running out in the 2018 summer transfer window, Chelsea succumbed to Athletic Bilbao's demands and paid a world-record fee for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard became the world's most expensive goalkeeper, breaking the record set by Alisson earlier in the same window.
Arrizabalaga replaced Thibaut Courtois for the London side in goal, as the Belgian shot-stopper completing a move to Real Madrid days before the start of the new season. As a result, the Spaniard was drafted straight into the starting eleven for Chelsea's season opener against Huddersfield, despite playing no part in pre-season training.
To his credit, Arrizabalaga slotted right into the first team, playing as if he had been the Blues' number one for years. A few shaky moments early in the season did not discourage the Spain international, who finished his first campaign for the London side with sixteen clean-sheets in the league.
The 25-year-old, however, has suffered a huge fall from grace this season and is ranked among the worst goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues. Nevertheless, he is only partly to blame for his dismal displays. A change in coaching staff hasn't helped the Spaniard's form nor has Frank Lampard's constant tinkering with the backline.
Despite the team's poor performance in the defensive department as a whole, Arrizabalaga has taken much of the heat, with several fans and pundits calling for his sack. Chelsea should, nonetheless, keep their faith in the Spanish goalkeeper for the time being as he has shown previously that he has much to offer.
His recent display against Liverpool in the FA Cup proved to be a timely reminder of the same, as he made five good saves while commanding his box superbly.
