Chelsea are back to square one on the goalkeeping front it seems.
The Blues have bought quite a few in the last couple of years, including 2 last summer, but none are really doing the business. Robert Sanchez looked mediocre before we bought him and hasn’t changed many minds since then. He lost his place to Djordje Petrovic, who provided a short term boost but also doesn’t look like a long term top option, frankly.
Buying them both in one summer, at a major combined cost and on long contracts, already looks a misstep.
The whole thing is brought into sharper contrast by the way that the new coach, Enzo Maresca will want to use his keeper as a sweeper, something neither Sanchez or Petrovic look to be too comfortable with.
Our writer Simon Phillips has an interesting list of targets confirmed to him by sources at Chelsea.
6 names to consider – and more to be added
Up first is a new name we haven’t heard mentioned much until recent weeks in any context – Filip Jorgensen of Villareal. Phillips writes that he can “confirm Chelsea’s interest,” but not any specific bid.
Next is a young South American talent, something we know these sporting directors have a penchant for, in the form of 24 year old Bento from Athletico Paranaense. He also looks a really interesting option.
After that pair come some bigger names we’ve seen links to repeatedly in the last year or so: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal, Giorgi Mamardashvili of Valencia, Diogo Costa of Porto. All have established themselves at a high level, but will be accordingly expensive.
The final name mentioned is Emi Martinez, who Chelsea apparently “considered” last summer. With Aston Villa in the Champions League this season and Martinez a key part of that, we can comfortably rule him out.
