Under incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea will be looking to replace one or both of their goalkeepers. After finishing 12th in the Premier League, there is a pressing need for the Blues to make a strong comeback in the upcoming season.
For the past season, the Blues’ first-choice keeper was Kepa Arrizabalaga, who first made a move to Stamford Bridge in 2018. Although the 2022-23 campaign wasn’t Kepa’s worst, the team need an upgrade and will probably let go of their 28-year-old Spaniard.
On a fresher note, it has been speculated that Pochettino intends to keep Kepa as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. The Argentine manager aims to further develop the Spaniard with the assistance of goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez. Kepa has been seen training with the first team and his departure is starting to look unlikely as of now.
Chelsea’s second goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, had to undergo finger surgery in January and due to his unavailability was excluded from the team, for most of the remaining season. Last month, Al Ahli reached a deal with the 31-year-old until 2026.
As goalkeepers stand as the last line of defense, possessing the unique ability to change the course of a game single-handedly, it will be a must for Chelse to have a skilled one. Below are the top 5 candidates to replace Kepa and Mendy at Stamford Bridge.
Robert Sanchez
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano Chelsea have agreed to around £20m fixed fee plus add ons for Robert Sánchez from Brighton. The clubs are nearing an agreement with further details being discussed currently.
The Spainard has come a long way since graduating from the Seagulls’ academy, making it to the first team and also the Spain national team. He has been instrumental in the Birghton’s bid for European qualification, as they finished the seventh in the Premier League standings. Sanchez, has featured in 22 games and conceded a total of 29 goals but managing keep six clean sheets. However, recently, De Zerbi has started to reduce the 25-year-old’s appearances, making it more favorable for him to leave.
Mike Maignan
AC Milan’s in-prime goalkeeper Mike Maignan is another player on Chelsea’s wish list this season. During the 2020-21 season, the France international emerged as a champion in Ligue 1, narrowly edging out his former team PSG on the final day. Maignan's remarkable performance throughout the season saw him achieve an impressive tally of 21 clean sheets.
According to a report by Foot Mercato Chelsea's hopes of signing the French goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge seem unlikely. Maignan is reportedly uninterested in joining Chelsea due to their absence from European competitions in the upcoming season.
Diogo Costa
As per A Bola, Costa will leave Porto this summer and Manchester United are the favourites to sign him, although Chelsea and Newcastle are also interested. Yet Chelsea’s interest in the Portuguese keeper saw a decline in the recent months.
The promising young goalkeeper has already accumulated considerable playing experience with Porto FC, demonstrating his exceptional ability to save shots, control the penalty area, and distribute the ball effectively. Reports suggest that FC Porto is requesting a transfer fee of £64 million (€75 million) for Costa's departure, given his remarkable performances for both his club and the national team.
David Raya
Brentford’s David Raya, has garnered long-standing interest from Chelsea, with recent reports indicating a growing connection between the two parties. Throughout the current season, Raya has been an ever-present figure in the Brentford team under the guidance of Thomas Frank, starting in all 27 games and conceding a total of 34 goals.
Impressively, the 27-year-old leads the Premier League in saves, having made 108 remarkable stops. Despite having a contract with Brentford until 2024, this summer could see the Spain international departing from the Bees, as both Chelsea and Manchester United have expressed their interest in securing his services.
