Are Chelsea a new goalkeeper away from being Premier League title contenders?
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While most clubs around Europe are keeping their powder dry so far this summer, Chelsea have spent big and spent quickly, with the club currently 11/1 to win the title.
Forwards Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner arrived first, and they’ve been joined by defenders Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s transfer window will fast resemble FIFA Career Mode if they end up completing the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz too.
But If they’re really going for a 2003 throwback summer in Roman Abramovich’s early years, then a goalkeeper should be next.
Gaffer Frank Lampard appears unconvinced on the consistency of current number one Kepa Arrizabalaga, so we’ve looked at some of the possibilities to replace the Spaniard.
Nick Pope
If Chelsea want a keeper with Premier League experience between the sticks – then Burnley’s Nick Pope will appear on the all the WyScout and StatsBomb searches you like!
Pope was pipped to the Golden Glove by Ederson on the final day of last season, but kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League, proving he’s back to his best following injury.
The 28-year-old has risen from non-league to the top flight and is reportedly set to be handed the England number one jersey in the Nations League this week.
He’s fast becoming a reliable, steady, stopper. He could be just the tonic for Lampard.
Edouard Mendy
With some of the names leaking out into the press, it seems as though Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has her sights set on Ligue 1.
Rennes have reportedly already knocked back a £15 million bid and may want up to double that price to lure him away from the French club.
Mendy has been labelled a late bloomer after only signing his first pro-deal at 24-years-old and playing in Ligue 2 as recently as 2018.
But that could suit Chelsea who need a player with a cool head. Mendy’s imposing 6’6 frame, 4 inches taller than Kepa, also helped him keep a 78.4% save percentage compared to the Chelsea man’s 54.5%.
Mike Maignan
Another Ligue 1 target is Lille’s Mike Maignan. Interest in the 25-year-old was rife as recently as late July and Chelsea may yet go back in for a man who’s been integral to Lille’s success.
And with former Lille team-mates Nicolas Pepe in 2019 and now Gabriel Magalhaes now in the Premier League, Maignan may fancy his chances too.
Maignan won the award for the best Ligue 1 keeper in 2018/19 and was on for a similarly impressive season before the league was suspended in March.
Could Maignan provide the level-headedness needed to mount a title challenge?
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma is AC Milan’s golden boy, bar one or two fallouts with the Ultras. The Italian is a player I Rossoneri have relied on since he was just 17 years-old.
But with Milan outside of the Champions League places in Serie A, could Chelsea tempt him to West London?
Still only 21 years-old, this would be a dynasty type signing. Granovskaia may even try to include Kepa in a swap deal to sweeten the bargain.
Donnarumma looks like the man for the future, but do Chelsea need the man for now?
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
