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Why £72m star is banned from Bournemouth vs Chelsea ahead of Premier League match

Kepa Arrizabalaga
-Credit: (Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)


Chelsea will return to Premier League action against Bournemouth on Saturday evening following the international break.

Enzo Mareca's side will be looking to return to winning ways after Crystal Palace held them to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last time out. Nicolas Jackson netted the only goal for the Blues.

As they head to the south coast, there will be one player who will be banned from facing Chelsea - Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 29-year-old joined the Cherries on loan in the summer after signing a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge.

Kepa has been with Chelsea since 2018 after joining from Athletic Bilbao and Premier League rules state he is not allowed to play his parent club. "We knew it before he came," Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said.

"They are the rules. He cannot play. Mark [Travers] will start and he has been very good when he has had the chance and I’m confident he will do well."

Kepa's deal was set to run out at the end of this season, but a new deal will now run until the summer of 2026. This will give Chelsea time to find a permanent home for him, having tried to sell the Spain international for the past two years.

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The club signed Kepa for £72million in 2018, making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time. He spent last season away at Real Madrid after being replaced by Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic.

Upon his return to west London, Kepa was never expected to be part of Maresca's plans for the season. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Kepa made 20 appearances in total, keeping nine clean sheets. He ended up losing his place in the team with Andriy Lunin preferred.