Marcus Bettinelli extends contract with Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has extended his contract with the club by three years.

The former Fulham man has been the club’s third-choice keeper, deputising for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy since his arrival.

Bettinelli joined the club following a loan spell at Middlesbrough, where he spent the 2020/21 season. He initially signed a two-year deal but has now extended his stay.

Bettinelli has only played one competitive game since he joined the club – a 5–1 FA Cup third-round victory over Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge.

Following his contract extension, Bettinelli said (via Chelsea’s website): “It is a privilege to be at a club like Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and a couple of years ago when I signed, I was delighted to be here, delighted to sign.

“To be here now and see the club going through this transition and seeing what we are developing, it is amazing to be a part of, and I am buzzing to be here for an extra couple of years.”

Chelsea and Bettinelli have won the FIFA Club World Cup together and will continue for the next three years.

However, the club is only beginning to sort out its goalkeeper situation. Former first-choice keeper Mendy has been in poor form since returning from the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Mendy made several high-profile errors, and new coach Graham Potter replaced him with Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard’s save statistics and numbers look good, but he costs Chelsea goals.

Against Everton, he looked indecisive for Chelsea’s first goal before an Ellis Simms’ shot squirmed in under him to secure a draw for the Toffees.

Chelsea have to decide whether to sell Mendy or Arrizabalaga this summer.

The Blues reportedly prefer to let go of Arrizabalaga, but he is on massive wage with two years left on the seven-year deal he signed in 2018. There are not many clubs queueing to take him.

Chelsea believe they can get a decent fee for Mendy. There will likely be more interested parties in the 2021 African Cup of Nations champion.

The Premier League club will move for a shot-stopper this summer with Borussia Dortmund’s Gregory Kobel and FC Porto’s Diogo Costa on their shortlist.