The crucial preface to analyzing Kepa or any goalkeeper, for that matter, is to establish the fact that goalkeeper profiles operate differently than outfield player profiles:

Any scout will tell you this. Goalkeeping performances are highly momentum-based, and the fluctuations of form, the volatility, are much higher than for outfield players. Goalkeepers need to be looked at differently.

As I've been preaching since Courtois' injury, among the available candidates, Kepa has the fundamentals most locked down:

His stance is perfect, being narrow, granting him the balance to move horizontally very quickly. He has springy, powerful thighs, and a very lithe torso, which, in combination, makes him a very rapid, perhaps the fastest flyer in the air in the game.

These features are what make his short limb length utterly irrelevant. His shot-stopping is good BECAUSE he is agile. (This is what most Chelsea fans couldn't comprehend.) He has a biomechanical profile different from that of Courtois-but he is still a top shot-stopper.

Height or limb length, given a minimal level, does not correlate with shot-stopping ability at all. Muscle fiber composition, reflexes, and game intelligence do. And Kepa has those on lock.

By observing his on-the-line movements and acceleration, it becomes evident that he possesses fast-twitch muscle fibers. That fact combined with his weight manipulation and shifts, are highly deceptive for strikers, making him higly adept in 1v1 situations.

On the line, he is also a highly skilled reader of angles and the space ahead of him. His positioning is remarkably mature. This is why he is rarely beaten at the near post, unlike the likes of Bono, for example.

His quick feet, above-average touch, and coordination are the reasons he is an above-average sweeper. He is undoubtedly above average at short passing, adept at finding different angles, and very considerate with the build-up play: Rarely putting his defenders in danger.

All these fundamentals, attributes, biomechanical features, and technical capabilities were showcased last season. He had his best season in a Chelsea shirt, and, again, goalkeeping is about form momentum.

As very well summarized by the incredibly intelligent @Jhdharrison1 , Kepa was one of the bright spots in a very dark Chelsea last season. His metrics summarize all goalkeeping actions, such as xG prevention from short and long shots, 1v1s, sweeping, and cross-collection.

Kepa bailed out a struggling Chelsea last season and was one of, if not the biggest reason why they only conceded 47 goals last year (4 more than Arsenal) despite finishing 12th.

What we are getting with Kepa is someone who kept his composure in a catastrophic and toxic setup.

With Carlo, who is especially good at raising the confidence of his players, and Kepa's abilities both with his feet and shot-stopping, we are getting someone who shouldn't put a ceiling on our season.

That's why I advocated for him from day 0; I have no doubt that, in terms of pure quality and his current form, he was the best choice.

@madrista_ak It's not even that long, come on...

@AndrewDInvestor You earned my respect andrew for your analysis 🫡

@rmcf_perez Thank you!

@AndrewDInvestor who would u suggest if God forbid courtois won’t get back to his best, for next season?

@aimandontmind Probably Costa, but I haven't given it much thought. Costa is very good, though.