MX23RW : Friday, April 19 03:16:31| >> :120:9136:9136:

Frank Lampard warns under-fire Kepa Arrizabalaga that he must improve

Stopper has been told to improve.

Frank Lampard has warned Kepa Arrizabalaga he has to improve his patchy form at Chelsea.

The Chelsea boss insisted the Spain goalkeeper has admitted his individual mistakes have directly cost the Blues, and challenged the 25-year-old to sharpen up.

Kepa should have saved Isaac Hayden's header that stole Newcastle a 1-0 victory in injury time on January 18, while he could not even lay a glove on Hector Bellerin's late equaliser in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The former Athletic Bilbao star currently boasts the unwanted tag of the lowest save percentage in the Premier League, and Lampard has told him to go back to basics to return to top form.

"Well he will have to deal with outside criticism; that is what football is," said Lampard.

"Every player, no matter great you are in your career, the best, the absolute best of all time will get criticised and you have to deal with it.

"I think with Kepa he knows, he'll be honest that there have been some mistakes that have cost us goals.

"It is the nature of it, so that needs to improve. Goalkeepers may have slightly more spotlight on them, but it is a similar thing, really. I think the important thing for that is not to get too embroiled in what is said on the outside and look at your own game.

"It is always the basics, how hard can I work. That's not just for Kepa, but for any player.

"If you feel in a lack of form, fight to get it back. Go back to basics."

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Burnley's Nick Pope in the January window, but Lampard insisted he is not seeking to add another body between the sticks this month.

Asked if he wanted to recruit another goalkeeper, Lampard added: "I am not looking at it now. I am not affected by criticism from the outside as much. I am aware of it, not affected by it."

Lampard also said he is not interested in a move for Lille's France Under-21 midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

"I'm aware of him as a player, but he is not on our radar for this window," said Lampard.

"We played against him, but he is not one on the immediate radar. He is a good player, but he is another club's player."

ID:387353: cacheID:387353:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3722:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match on January 23, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Henderson, Perez, Kean
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!