Just three days ago on the banks of the Thames the Blues lost 2-1 in another capital-city clash against Fulham. With the next chance to add some much-needed points coming so quickly, our goalkeeper looks ahead to playing Crystal Palace but first of all talks about the current situation overall.

‘We are not happy, of course we are not happy with the last games and the last form,’ Kepa says.

‘We are Chelsea, we have to fight to win every game, to be at the top, to fight for titles and right now we are far.

‘So we are on it. We are fully focused and we are all in the same direction, the staff, the club, the players. Sometimes you need some time, some little click to start again. We will hopefully get that soon.’

Unfortunately, Thursday’s game brought another addition to the extensive injury list that has built up for the Blues, with Denis Zakaria the latest affected.

‘Of course it's not easy when you have injuries, players coming in, coming out,’ Kepa notes.

‘It is difficult because when you have a full squad you have more options, you have fresh legs to play the second half. They come on and change the games. But it is what it is and we have to take it, we have to manage it and try to get to our best.

‘We have brilliant players in the squad, we have big quality. It's true we have a lot of injuries but we have to keep going.

‘I think it is a little bit like life,’ the 28-year-old points out. ‘You have ups and downs. You have good moments, you have other ones that are not that good. But you have to keep going and go past this bad moment and be strong mentally.’

Back in October at Selhurst Park, Chelsea did get the better of Palace, winning the game late on with a Conor Gallagher goal not long after Kepa made a save from Wilfried Zaha. He recalls the occasion.

‘It was a very tough game – it was 1-1 until the last minute. Crystal Palace have very good attackers. They have a lot of quality in the last third. They have speed, they have shots, they have good physicality.

‘So it's going to be tough for sure. In the Premier League right now there is not one easy game. We prepare well for this game because we need a win.’