Chelsea ‘ready huge goalkeeper signing, it’s the top priority’
Chelsea are planning to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer as Enzo Maresca is keen on an overhaul of his defensive unit at Stamford Bridge.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen are seen as replaceable.
He went on to explain that the Blues are prepared to spend “huge money” to land the players they want in an attempt to back the manager in the transfer market.
Sanchez’s performances this season have been a cause for concern at Chelsea which led to his axe from the starting XI, before Jorgensen’s error cost them the game against Aston Villa.
Brown previously told Football Insider that Chelsea are prioritising the signing of a new centre-back after missing out on a deal for Nottingham Forest star Murillo in January.
However, a new goalkeeper is also high on their list of targets, and work is ongoing behind the scenes to identify a potential replacement for their current options.
Recent reports have linked the Blues with a move to sign Southampton’s ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale, who has been a long-term target at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea plot move to sign new goalkeeper after Kelleher latest
Brown told Football Insider on 18 February that Chelsea want to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and would be prepared to meet his £40million asking price.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that Maresca is keen to improve between the sticks after recent concerns.
“It’s a position they’re going to have to look at,” he told Football Insider.
“Chelsea have always shown that if there’s a player they want and they feel will improve their team, they’re prepared to spend huge fees to go and get him.
“They spent a lot of money on Kepa [Arrizabalaga], they spent money on Sanchez.
“Eventually, people will ask questions about the money they’ve spent without much success.
“But until they find somebody who can be their standout first-choice, I expect that spending to continue.
“It’s such an important position, because a lot of what they do directly impacts the defence, and that has been such a big problem for Maresca this season.
“They need to sort out the defence, and while they’re looking at options at centre-back, having a steady goalkeeper is just as important.
“I think that’s going to be an area of the pitch they invest in heavily when the window opens.”
Enzo Maresca plans defensive overhaul at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s attention this summer looks certain to be fixated on improving their defensive unit after their seemingly constant issues since Maresca arrived.
One player who has been the focus of plenty of attention is Trevoh Chalobah, after he was recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace during the January transfer window.
However, Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea are prepared to sell Chalobah in the summer in an effort to raise money for further investment.
The 25-year-old is not seen as a long-term answer to their problems and is not thought to have a future at the heart of Maresca’s defensive line.
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