With only a month before the transfer window closes, Chelsea are searching for a possible first-choice goalkeeper. Edouard Mendy, who was signed for a lower fee of £22 million compared to Kepa’s £72 million, experienced the highs of being the first-choice goalkeeper and eventually the lows of losing that position back last season.
Now, with Mendy’s departure to Al Ahli, and Mauricio Pochettino’s growing unhappiness with Arrizabalaga, the team are in search of a new shot-stopper.
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Chelsea Are on the Lookout for a Potential First Choice Goalkeeper
Chelsea are looking at goalkeepers.
Poch doesn’t like Kepa’s distribution & is getting GK coaches to work on it.
PL experience is valued for new GK & targets such as Raya, Robert Sanchez & Emi Martinez remain. Chelsea also like & heavily scouted Anatoliy Trubin from Shakhtar. pic.twitter.com/r990FrAFQT
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) July 26, 2023
Moving on from Kepa Arrizabalaga
Although the Spaniard played for almost the entirety of the previous campaign, Pochettino doesn’t seem to be convinced he is the one to lead the team.
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He “doesn’t like his distribution” and has had the goalkeeper coaches working on it, while the club searches for his replacement, as per Felix Johnston.
Pricing Concerns
Nathan Gissing had confirmed in The Byline podcast that the Blues had previously shown interest in Manchester United’s recent signing, Andre Onana, from Inter Milan, but couldn’t proceed due to pricing issues. This could be a recurring concern for the team as they have prioritized strengthening other positions and are yet to bolster their midfield.
Read More: Chelsea Make £39m Bid for PL Star Who Already Agreed to Join
Considering the exceptionally high price paid for their current first-choice, they have hopes to replicate a ‘Mendy’ scenario, where they brought in the Senegalese goalkeeper for just £22 million, a stark contrast to the hefty £72 million spent on the other option.
However, the Blues might face challenges, considering they won’t be participating in any European competitions this year. Gissing has also ruled out signing Mike Maignan from AC Milan because he was also considered too expensive.
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Possible Options
The club has started forming its shortlist of potential replacements, with existing Premier League experience currently being prioritised according to Johnston.
The named targets are David Raya, Robert Sanchez, and Emi Martinez who all play for English sides. It is noted, however, that the team have also heavily scouted Anatoliy Trubin of Shakhtar Donetsk who has never played in the English top flight.
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