Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has said he is prepared for the challenge of filling Edouard Mendy's big boots at club level when he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January.
Arrizabalaga was the Blues' penalty shootout hero once again in their Carabao Cup fourth round win over Southampton on Tuesday in a rare start for the Spain international.
The £72m signing was replaced as Chelsea's starting goalkeeper by Mendy upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge last season, and has gone on to become one of Europe's top stoppers.
But with Senegal in action at AFCON from January 10 until potentially February 6, Arrizabalaga is prepared for an extended run back in the starting lineup.
“Well, it [AFCON] is two months away," Arrizabalaga said after beating Southampton. "Of course, we know it can happen [Mendy leaving] and I will be ready but we have a lot of games until we start thinking about that.
