This article forms part of our Total Duds feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how bad a deal the club got.

Chelsea hold the torch for signing some of the world's best footballers. They've welcomed legendary names like Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele to the Premier League, blessing fans with the honour to watch these stars don the blue of the west London club.

Not all of their signings have reached the benchmark set by these iconic names, though. One recruit who seriously went against the grain of stellar Chelsea business is Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

The Spaniard was plucked from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 after former boss Maurizio Sarri thought he was the answer to Chelsea's defensive problems. A mammoth £71m was splashed on his services in a statement swoop. However, following Sarri's dismissal last summer, Frank Lampard would learn of the burden that the Italian left in his wake in took the form of a 6 ft 1 goalkeeper.

The Stamford Bridge icon has made it clear that Kepa has no place in his plans moving forward. In Lampard's debut season at the hilt of the club, the 25-year-old was a huge disappointment. Not only did he get dropped in both the FA Cup and Champions League, but Chelsea conceded the most goals out of any of the Premier League top 10 with an alarming 54, all but seven of which were put past Kepa in his 33 appearances.

Lampard is now desperately seeking a new goalkeeper so as not to end up with another season relying on the Spaniard.

After breaking the world record for cash spent on a goalkeeper – a record he still holds – Kepa could be saying farewell to the west London club after just two years. His tenure arguably makes him one of the most disappointing record signings in the history of the Premier League.

Who do you think should replace Kepa at Chelsea? Have your say in the comments below!