We may be in the midst of a January transfer window, but there is no doubting Mauricio Pochettino will have a long-term focus on moulding Chelsea in his own image.
Financial Fair Play restrictions from the Premier League could hinder this approach but the Blues will be hoping to continue shipping off players who they feel do not reach the levels which are required. One player Pochettino managed to part ways with in the summer was Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The former Athletic Bilbao shot stopper had never truly settled at Stamford Bridge with his performances often heavily scrutinised. One of Pochettino's first acts in the transfer window was to bring in fresh 'keepers in a bid to improve the squad.
Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic were brought into the side to bolster the squad while Arrizabalaga was allowed to join Real Madrid on loan for the rest of the season after Thibaut Courtois picked up a serious injury. However, any hope of this switch becoming a permanent one in the future looks to be ebbing away considering the Spaniard's performances.
Having initially been a starter for Real, Arrizabalaga has been dropped in La Liga for Andriy Lunin. There looks to be little chance of him winning his place back after the Chelsea man suffered a howler in the SuperCopa victory over Atletico Madrid this week.
While the problem is out of sight and thus out of mind for now, Pochettino could soon be presented with his worst-case scenario at Stamford Bridge. With Carlo Ancelotti believed to be unimpressed by the 'keeper, there is a real possibility Arrizabalaga returns to the club at the end of his loan stint.
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