Options in problem position are “being scouted” for move later in the summer claims exclusive | OneFootball

Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation is one issue that’s going to have to be resolved before too long.

The club bought 3 keepers in the space of 2 transfer windows, and they also have the highly paid Kepa Arrizabalaga out on loan, but none are really convincing as a true future rock of the first team.

The issue is brought into sharper focus by the arrival of coach Enzo Maresca, who is going to want his keeper to play much higher up and to use the ball a lot more. Given our current options haven’t even been convincing as traditional keepers, we’re not sure they’ll fare any better suddenly being asked to play as a sweeper.

Our writer Simon Phillips’ summary of our transfer window plans has some interesting thoughts about what we might do. Clearly with Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic on the books of the first team, there’s no space for another goalkeeper. And as Phillips notes, it’s hard to move on from either of them without taking a loss on the fees paid less than a year ago. But there are other potential solutions.

Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic in a montage.

How Chelsea escape goalkeeper mess

“New goalkeepers are still being looked at, but the issue there is saving face on Robert Sanchez, and also the fact that they can’t turn a profit on selling him yet,” Phillips pointed out.

“Djordje Petrovic is liked by many, but not to the point of believing in him as number one yet. There’s a situation where one keeper could go out on loan, and then Chelsea bring in a new stopper. It’s not set in stone, but goalkeepers are being scouted and also we have a shortlist of new options we like there too, ready to call on. Still something that could spark up later in the window. Sanchez is expected to start pre-season as the number one, though.”

A loan out of Petrovic or Sanchez would allow them to build their value and clear their wages off the books, while creating space in the squad for a new arrival. If they can make it work, we’re sure they’d prefer this setup.