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Chelsea have got Kepa Arrizabalaga training away from the first-team as he seeks pastures new - the same treatment endured by Romelu Lukaku 12 months ago.

The Blues haven't been shy in making players know when they're not part of the manager's plans and Kepa's time in west London looks to be up. The Spanish goalkeeper is entering the final year of his deal and spent last season out on loan with Real Madrid.

Chelsea have several shotstoppers on their books and Kepa has been training away from the main group since he returned to their Cobham base for pre-season. He has several suitors and a move for the 29-year-old appears the most likely resolution - six years after he made a £72million switch from Athletic Bilbao - a then record fee for a No 1.

The Blues are currently considering a move for Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen as they seek more competition in between the sticks. Robert Sanchez was previously bought in from Brighton whilst Djordje Petrovic also served as No 1 last term when Sanchez picked up an injury.

Kepa previously spoke of his desire to remain permanently at Real but spent the second half of last season as a back-up to Andriy Lunin and Thibaut Courtois. A move to Saudi Arabia has been touted which could lead to a possible reunion with ex-Blue N'Golo Kante.

Lukaku is another player who Chelsea will have to make a decision on this summer - despite making it clear that he had no future at the club 12 months ago. The Belgian cost the Blues £97.5m when he joined from Inter Milan back in 2021, but has been unable to deliver.

Eventually he moved to Roma on loan, reuniting with former boss Jose Mourinho, but this summer he'll again have to consider his next move.

Romelu Lukaku had to head out on loan last term as he was frozen out at Chelsea ( Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

Last term it was Mauricio Pochettino who made it clear that Chelsea were looking to move him on. He said: “The situation with the player you are asking, is a situation that was already really clear before we arrived here. There was a wish between the club and the player to try to find a solution."

A change in manager could present Lukaku with the chance to revive his Blues career, but Enzo Maresca has given no indication he plans to bring the Belgian back into the fold. If Lukaku and Kepa both leave then two of the three most expensive signings under Roman Abramovich - worth a combined £170m - will have be allowed to exit.

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