Chelsea's caretaker coach, Frank Lampard, has explained his decision to drop goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga against Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s Premier League tie.

Kepa regained his position as Chelsea’s No. 1 earlier in the season and has started all seven games under Lampard.

Kepa was in goal last weekend as Chelsea defeated Bournemouth 3-1.

However, Edouard Mendy, who had not played a competitive match since Senegal’s World Cup defeat to England last December, made a rare start, which was thoroughly merited as a consequence of his performances in training, according to Lampard.

Speaking before the kick-off, Lampard said: “It is an opportunity that I think for his [Mendy’s] part is well deserved given how he is training.

“It is certainly not an issue with Kepa [Arrizabalaga], but for Edou [Edouard Mendy], it is good for him to play a game for us. He is a top goalkeeper, so that is the decision.”

Meanwhile, the match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest ended in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.