Frank
Lampard says Edouard Mendy will not start for Chelsea against West Brom and
plans to hold talks with Kepa Arrizabalaga in the next 24 hours.
Mendy completed his £22m move to Stamford Bridge on Thursday but Lampard
says he has not had enough time to prepare for Saturday's trip to the
Hawthorns.
That means either Kepa or Willy Caballero will start against West Brom and
Lampard says he will speak to both players about the arrival of fellow
goalkeeper Mendy.
"I haven't spoken to Kepa," said Lampard. "The announcement came and we
trained.
"I didn't see Kepa but I will have a conversation with him and Wily
Caballero over the next 24 hours.
"I've a very open line of communication with both of them. It's important as
goalkeepers, they have their own small union in the training ground because
of the nature of the way they work together.
"There's good competition there now and that's how we move forward."
Kepa's position as first-choice goalkeeper has come under intense scrutiny
after high-profile errors in each of Chelsea's two Premier League games this
season.
Lampard sought the advice of former team-mate Petr Cech before moving for
Mendy, who has joined on a five-year deal.
The 28-year-old became Chelsea's seventh first-team signing of the summer
but Saturday's game has come too soon.
"It's not going to happen," replied Lampard when asked if Mendy could start
against West Brom. "He's had a long week where he hasn't really trained.
"He flew in yesterday (Thursday) and we just felt it's too tight a
turnaround to put him in contention to start the game."
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