Chelsea’s €80m Gamble on Kobel Could Solve Long-Standing Goalkeeping Dilemma | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Goalkeeper Search: Is Gregor Kobel the Answer?

Chelsea’s ongoing goalkeeping dilemma could soon take a new twist as reports suggest the club is eyeing a high-profile move for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel. Having experienced a turbulent start to the season with Robert Sanchez, Chelsea may look to make a significant investment in the Swiss goalkeeper as they seek stability between the posts. According to BILD, the Premier League side is reportedly willing to pay €70-80 million for Kobel, should he become available for transfer.

Chelsea’s Goalkeeping Woes

Chelsea’s current goalkeeping options have been a source of frustration this season. Robert Sanchez, who arrived from Brighton for €24.5m, has been under the microscope after a series of high-profile errors. The Spaniard has made more mistakes leading to goals than all but one player in the Premier League, highlighting his vulnerability in key moments. Sanchez, despite his decent save percentage of 77.6%, has struggled with the ball at his feet, completing just 24% of his long goal kicks — the second-worst in the league.

Photo IMAGO

Alongside Sanchez, Chelsea also has Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic on their roster, but neither has shown enough consistency to secure the starting spot. Petrovic, despite his promising performances in cup competitions, has only made one Premier League appearance. Chelsea’s defensive problems this season, with only two teams conceding more goals, have intensified the need for a dependable and commanding goalkeeper.

Kobel’s Potential Move

Enter Gregor Kobel, a 27-year-old goalkeeper who has been impressing in the Bundesliga despite Dortmund’s underwhelming season. With over three years remaining on his contract, Kobel’s future at the Signal Iduna Park is under a cloud, as the club faces the prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League. This situation has reportedly led to Kobel becoming frustrated with the club’s lack of success in recent years.

Chelsea’s long-standing interest in Kobel has been reignited, with the club reportedly seeing him as a future star. BILD’s report suggests that the Blues believe he has the potential to become ‘the best goalkeeper in the world.’ This is high praise, but it speaks to Chelsea’s ambition in the transfer market. The club’s willingness to invest in a goalkeeper of Kobel’s calibre, potentially eclipsing the €80m they paid for Kepa in 2018, highlights the importance they place on securing top-tier talent in this position.

Financial Hurdles and Possible Sales

However, Chelsea will need to make some room in their squad before any potential deal for Kobel can go through. With three goalkeepers already on the books, it is likely that one or two will need to be sold to fund a move for the Dortmund stopper. Petrovic and Kepa are both reportedly up for sale, as Chelsea looks to streamline its squad while raising funds for a new goalkeeper.

Photo: IMAGO

For Dortmund, Kobel’s potential exit would be a significant blow, especially given the club’s struggles in the Bundesliga, sitting only eighth in the table. However, with a player of Kobel’s quality, they could command a hefty fee, especially if Chelsea pushes for a transfer in January or the summer.

Long-Term Solution for Chelsea?

Kobel’s potential move to Chelsea represents more than just a short-term fix to their goalkeeping issues. Given his age and potential, the Swiss international could become the long-term solution for the Blues. His command of the area, shot-stopping ability, and confidence in distribution could be what Chelsea needs to solidify their defence and keep them competitive at the highest level.

For now, Chelsea’s pursuit of Gregor Kobel remains speculative, but the club’s intent to invest significantly in their goalkeeper position is clear. With a price tag that could rival the world-record fee spent on Kepa, it is clear that Chelsea are not looking for a stop-gap solution, but rather a game-changing player who can lead them for years to come.

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This report about Gregor Kobel feels promising. The club has been stuck in a cycle of indecision between goalkeepers, with Sanchez’s inconsistencies and Kepa’s ongoing struggles to find form. While it’s clear that Petrovic hasn’t had the chance to make his case as a consistent starter, Kobel represents a potential game-changer. His performances in the Bundesliga and his apparent desire for a fresh challenge align with Chelsea’s ambitions to solidify their squad for the long term.

At €70-80 million, the fee for Kobel would be a significant investment, but it could prove to be a wise one. The goalkeeper position is too important for Chelsea to continue with uncertainty, and Kobel’s age, talent, and potential to improve make him a worthwhile risk. It’s now up to the club to secure this deal and finally provide stability in a position that has been plagued by inconsistency for too long.