The final week of this year's World Cup kicked off in Qatar in the early hours of November 21, Hong Kong time. However, star after star has been injured and missed out on matches, the latest of which is Chelsea goalkeeper Alesha Banaga.
Chelsea coach Park Da has revealed that the 28-year-old Spanish international will not be able to return to action before the World Cup after suffering a foot injury, meaning he may not make the final list of the Spanish national team. Manchester United goalkeeper Dikia, who has been in hot form recently, may have a chance to fill the gap.
Aleixabanaga became the most expensive goalkeeper ever when he joined Chelsea from Bilbao four years ago for a transfer fee of £71.6 million. However, he struggled for some time and was relegated to the bench. This season, Kepa regained his form and reclaimed his starting spot, but was injured in the Premier League match against Brighton at the end of last month and has missed the Europa League.
Parker said that Alessandro Banaga's injury is serious: he has a plantar fascia injury and I don't think he will be able to return before the World Cup. In addition to Arrizabanaga, Chelsea also have midfielder Nicolai Gendi and three defenders, Chivas, Reyes, and Wesley Cofina, who are injured and may not be able to participate in the tournament.
Spanish media previously reported that the Spanish national team manager Anriki developed a preliminary list of 55 people to prepare for the World Cup, including five goalkeepers, Alesabanaga in the list, while Manchester United goalkeeper Dikia was not selected. But with Kepa's injury, D'Aguiar's hopes of being selected have been revived.
However, the British media believe that Anriki originally only regarded Kepa as a backup goalkeeper, even if he was injured, it would have little effect on the final 26-man roster. It is expected that the goalkeeper candidates will be Bilbao's Unesimone, Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and Binford goalkeeper David Laye, and there is little chance of Dikia being replaced.
