Chelsea to decide Club World Cup final keeper as Mendy flies in to threaten Kepa

Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is sweating on his place in the Club World Cup final.

Edouard Mendy has flown out to Abu Dhabi to join up with the rest of the Chelsea squad after his heroics with Senegal to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel then faces a selection dilemma but does not want to reward the players who won the Champions League to earn Chelsea's place in their showdown with Palmeiras.

That would be a huge blow for Kepa, 27, who has been in good form during Mendy's absence and made some good saves in the semi final win over Al-Hilal.

Chelsea are already bracing themselves for bids in the summer for Kepa who became the world's most expensive keeper after his £71.6m move Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

Kepa has impressed Chelsea with the way he has come back after losing his place both mentally and also adjusting to English football.

But it has also seen him get attention from other clubs and there is certain to be interest from la Liga in the Spain international.

Meanwhile, Tuchel will discover on Friday whether he can fly out as he will have to test negative after catching Covid last weekend.

Tuchel had to watch the semi final from home and send messages via his mobile phone and Zoom but wants to fly out to take charge of the team.