Kepa: Chelsea situation not ideal but I can turn it around

Kepa Arrizabalaga acknowledged he is "not in the ideal situation" at Chelsea but is confident he can turn things around.

Chelsea signed Edouard Mendy from Rennes for a reported £22million after Kepa made an error leading to a goal in each of the Blues' opening two Premier League games.

Even though Mendy was not in condition to face West Brom in the first game following his arrival being confirmed, Kepa was dropped for Willy Caballero.

The Spain international, who Chelsea made the most expensive keeper in the world when they signed him from Athletic Bilbao two years ago, has spent the past two games on the bench.

Kepa was linked with a loan away from Chelsea before the transfer window closed on Monday, but he is sure he will soon rediscover his best form.

"I feel good, strong and confident," he said. "Maybe I'm not in the ideal situation, but you have to go through things like this during a career.

"I am confident that I can turn the situation around. When I have the chance to play, I'll try to do so as well as possible.

"Obviously, all footballers want to play, but I'm just thinking about the day to day, not the medium-term or long-term."

Spain boss Luis Enrique has been impressed by Kepa's work ethic on international duty despite his struggles with Chelsea.

"I've spoken to him and I think he is doing good," Luis Enrique said.

"He knows that what has happened isn't the end of the world.

"This is a moment to see what he is made of and I think he's doing good, as he is happy, motivated and training very well with us."

Spain take on Portugal in a friendly on Wednesday before Nations League meetings with Switzerland and Ukraine on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

Chelsea sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Tlemcani from Paris

Chelsea have signed 16-year-old goalkeeper Sami Tlemcani, Ligue 2 side Paris have announced.

France youth international Tlemcani spent just over two years with Paris and began training with the first team when he was 15.

"It is a new spotlight for the development of the capital club, who allowed the young Sami Tlemcani to join one of the biggest European clubs in recent years," a Paris statement read.

He becomes the second keeper to arrive at Stamford Bridge since the end of the 2019-20 season, with Edouard Mendy having been signed from Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Italy boss Mancini disappointed Emerson remains a Chelsea player

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini admits he was hoping Emerson Palmieri would leave Chelsea during the transfer window to play regular first-team football.

The left-back has been short of playing time during his two and a half years at Stamford Bridge and was strongly linked with a return to Serie A prior to Monday's transfer deadline.

Juventus were reportedly keen to bring in Emerson on deadline day and his former club Roma were also credited with an interest in the 26-year-old.

However, a move did not materialise and he now looks set to stay in west London, although the transfer window still remains open for Portuguese clubs for another few weeks.

Mancini is disappointed Emerson, part of Italy's squad for the friendly with Moldova and Nations League games against Poland and the Netherlands, was unable to find a new club.

"I was hoping Emerson could go to a team where he can play continuously," Mancini said at a news conference previewing Wednesday's meeting with Moldova in Florence.

"We have always had a bit of difficulty - there are now fewer Italians compared to the past. But we have still put together an excellent team."

Federico Chiesa did get his deadline-day move, though, as he joined champions Juventus from Fiorentina in a deal that could be worth up to €60million.

"For us, he's an important player," Mancini said. "He was when he was at Fiorentina and he is now that he's with Juventus He still has room for improvement there."

The Juventus contingent named in Mancini's squad are late joining up with the rest of their team-mates due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

But Mancini is not bothered about their delayed arrival and has hinted he will name a strong line-up for the friendly at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

"There are no big problems. The Juventus players will probably arrive on Wednesday," he said.

"The ranking is very important for us. We can't compromise what we have done in recent months during tomorrow's game.

"We have recovered eight or nine positions and we would like to climb even further before the draw for the World Cup qualifiers. We must do well in the games that don't count too."