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Kepa Arrizabalaga claims Mauricio Pochettino wanted him to stay at Chelsea before his loan move to Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
The Spaniard looked on course to be Chelsea\u2019s first-choice goalkeeper for the start of the new season following Edouard Mendy\u2019s exit and Robert Sanchez\u2019s arrival from Brighton just a week before the new Premier League campaign began.<\/p>\n
However, Thibaut Courtois\u2019 ACL injury forced Madrid to make a quick move in the transfer market and Kepa returned to Spain on loan for the season.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old claimed he had received support from Pochettino about his place at Chelsea in the summer but admits he was keen to leave Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
\u2018Yes, it was very fast,\u2019 Kepa said in an interview with Marca about his move to Madrid.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is true that at Chelsea Pochettino wanted me to stay and he told me that I was going to play, that he trusted me, but I thought that a change would be good for me. I wanted a change.<\/p>\n
\u2018Thomas Tuchel also called me and I was close to going to Bayern Munich. Due to circumstances such as the injury, unfortunately, of a teammate, the possibility arose.\u2019<\/p>\n
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When asked about his opportunity to join Bayern despite his lack of playing time under Tuchel at Chelsea, Kepa said: \u2018Yes, well it is also true that although I did not play with him, the call reinforces a little that a coach, if in the first stage you have not played with him at all, then claims you or wants you on his team, this makes you feel good.<\/p>\n
\u2018In the end, Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid calls you, there are few things to think about.\u2019<\/p>\n
Asked about his interraction with Courtois, Kepa said: \u2018We\u2019ve met every day except for the day of the operation and a couple when he was at home.<\/p>\n
\u2018We are at work every day in Valdebebas, we talk every day, we greet each other, we cross paths.\u2019<\/p>\n