Chelsea's managers have been talking about a subject for the past two decades.
With manager change after manager, new managers inherit an established team and implement a smooth transition by using the legacy of previous managers and quickly achieve success. Conte is known to have reignited Woodbirds' side in his first season to win the Premier League, while Tuchel lifted the Champions League trophy just four months after replacing Frank Lampard.
Five weeks into his tenure, Graham Porter boldly activated players that both former managers wanted to give up and fueled a surprising resuscitation. It was the most important decision he has made since replacing Tuchel as manager of Stamford Bridge. He appointed goalkeeper Kepa back as the team's top goalkeeper instead of his previous first-ever goalkeeper, Mendy, and Porter's confidence paid off.
After being brought to Stamford Bridge by former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri with a £71 million goalkeeper transfer record, Kepa's career at Chelsea has been a roller coaster. From refusing to play in the Carabao Cup final to a string of low-level mistakes during Frank Lampard's first season in charge, loyal Stamford Bridge fans are pressing for the club to sell him.
But after Potter's arrival, the Spaniard finally had a chance to prove his doubters wrong. And, quite clearly, the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper did exactly that.
Despite Mason Mount helping his team score, Kepa was undoubtedly the biggest contributor to Chelsea's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, securing all three points away from home for the Blues and keeping four consecutive clean sheets.
After three saves earlier in the first 45 minutes, the 28-year-old was forced to make jaw-dropping saves in a row for half an hour. Leon Pele's threatening cross found Danny Ingels, who headed in from close range. However, Kepa was a god helper, and his close-range shot managed to hold up the crossbar. Let the Villa players hold their heads and sigh, they can't believe their eyes.
With seven saves on the Villa Park pitch, Kepa once again sent a strong signal to those who had denied him and was one of the world's top goalkeepers when he fully recovered.
Porter decided to abandon Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy, who has performed exceptionally well under Frank Lampard and Tuchel since joining from Rennes for £22 million in 2020, helping the Blues win three trophies. Therefore, it is a decision that requires enough courage, but it is also undoubtedly the most rewarding.
After the game, Porter praised the Spaniard as "world-class", saying: "It was a world-class performance, especially in the first half. I'm really happy for him, he's had a tough time, but now he's made a decisive contribution to the game. ”
Porter have now won five games and Chelsea have conceded just one goal in those five. While it's hard to say that Kepa's story at Stamford Bridge won't have another twist, since his new coach put his trust in him, he has been convincing enough to completely turn things around.