10 goalkeepers Chelsea should try to sign before transfer window closes - ranked
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2023-08-16 23:52
With Kepa Arrizabalaga going to Real Madrid, 90min looks at which goalkeepers could replace him at Chelsea, including the likes of Mike Maignan, Emiliano Martinez and David de Gea.

Having just spent £115m on Moises Caicedo, and with £58m and £35m deals for Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise to come, Chelsea could make yet another transfer this summer.

Edouard Mendy departed Stamford Bridge earlier in the window and has now been followed through the exit door by Kepa Arrizabalaga following his loan move to Real Madrid. While the Blues have already brought in Brighton & Hove Albion's Robert Sanchez for approximately £20m, they are still short in the goalkeeping department.

Mauricio Pochettino will want cover and competition for his new number one Sanchez, meaning he will have to ask Todd Boehly to get his cheque book out again. While his wishes will likely be granted, Pochettino will need to make the right call.

Here are ten goalkeepers Chelsea could target to replace Kepa - ranked.

10. Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain)

Now 36-years-old, Keylor Navas would provide a very short-term solution to the problem for Chelsea.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest from Paris Saint-Germain, featuring 17 times in the Premier League for the Midlands club. While still a good goalkeeper, he perhaps doesn't fit Chelsea's recent model of acquiring young talent, or Pochettino's system that requires a goalkeeper to be incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Given the Costa Rica international is currently Gianluigi Donnarumma's understudy in Paris, and his current deal expires in 2024, it could prove a cost-effective deal for the Blues.

9. Illan Meslier (Leeds United)

Despite being just 23-years-old, Illan Meslier has plenty of Premier League experience. The French goalkeeper has managed 107 game in the English top tier, but now finds himself back in the Championship with Leeds United.

While the youngster has shown glimpses of greatness in the Premier League, they were few and far between last season. Meslier struggled for consistency and also made a number of high-profile errors at Elland Road, with question marks remaining over his ability to rise to the top.

8. David de Gea (Free agent)

David de Gea's 12-year Manchester United career came to an end this summer as he was released by the club following the expiration of his contract, being replaced by a more modern goalkeeper in Andre Onana.

While still a supreme shot-stopper, De Gea's inability to play out from the back ultimately cost him his place at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, with Pochettino likely having similar reservations about the Spaniard.

However, given De Gea is a free agent, there wouldn't be a great deal of risk involved in a deal, with the 32-year-old still capable of playing at the highest level.

7. Alex Meret (Napoli)

Alex Meret enjoyed a really promising season with Luciano Spalletti's Napoli last year, winning Serie A and proving doubters wrong after a complicated start to life with the Neapolitan side.

Meret showed great character to bounce back from a disappointing 2021/22 season in which he wasn't performing at his peak, proving to be an invaluable member of Spalletti's exciting side last campaign.

The 26-year-old still has room to improve, but would probably expect to be Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. Whether Napoli would be willing to sell is another question.

6. Unai Simon (Athletic Club)

Given that Unai Simon played ahead of Sanchez at the 2022 World Cup with Spain, the 26-year-old could arguably be seen as an immediate upgrade on Chelsea's new signing.

Simon has been quietly impressive in La Liga for Athletic Club, the team with which he has spent his entire senior career, and one of his major strengths is his ability in possession, hence why he has been frequently chosen in front of Kepa, De Gea, Sanchez and David Raya for Spain.

5. Diogo Costa (Porto)

Diogo Costa has been linked with the Premier League this summer, with both Chelsea and Man Utd interested in the shot-stopper. The Red Devils opted for Inter's Onana, meaning the Blues could have a free run at Porto's Costa.

The 23-year-old is widely considered one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in Europe, but has been prone to making errors on the big stage, especially in the Champions League.

Costa reportedly has an eye-watering £65m release clause in his contract, but Chelsea are not adverse to spending big for young talent.

4. Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia)

The 22-year-old Georgian has emerged as one of La Liga's most promising goalkeepers, performing admirably last season in a struggling Valencia side.

Giorgi Mamardashvili played all 38 matches in La Liga last campaign, proving a safe pair of hands for Valencia, and attracting interest from Europe's elite.

Real Madrid had been linked with the goalkeeper before they opted for Kepa, but Chelsea could use this to their advantage and bring the shot-stopper to Stamford Bridge instead. His approximately £21m price tag could make him a sensible option for the Blues.

3. Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)

Chelsea had shown interest in a move for Gregor Kobel earlier in the transfer window, but links with the Dortmund stopper have seemingly gone quiet in recent weeks.

The Swiss goalkeeper has been one of the Bundesliga's standout performers in recent seasons and would be a significant upgrade on Kepa and Sanchez. The 25-year-old has a great mix of talents and is adept at shot-stopping, passing under pressure and commanding his penalty area.

It may require a hefty bid to prise him away from Germany, but it would be money well spent for Chelsea.

2. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Love him or hate him, Emiliano Martinez has consistently shown he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. His antics may drive you crazy, but his ability is unquestionable.

The World Cup winner has been so impressive at Aston Villa and has shown his ability to function under pressure on the biggest stage with Argentina. The 30-year-old could be costly given his age, but he is a tried and tested Premier League star who has showcased his competence playing in a possession-based system under Unai Emery.

However, convincing Villa to sell may be an incredibly tough task.

1. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

Another goalkeeper who has been touted with a move to Chelsea in the past, Maignan would likely be the ideal solution to the problem. The French shot-stopper has developed into one of the world's best at San Siro, frequently showcasing his ability to make game-defining saves.

Maignan was named Serie A's best goalkeeper during the 2021/22 season and continued his form last campaign. He would also be an expensive addition with a price tag of approximately £80m, but the 28-year-old could help elevate Chelsea to new heights.

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss Liverpool's response to losing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Harry Maguire's Man Utd future and more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as 10 goalkeepers Chelsea should try to sign before transfer window closes - ranked.

Tags emiliano martinez chelsea seo listicle mike maignan premier league kepa david de gea eppersons