Revealed: The Bundesliga goalkeeper Chelsea want to replace Kepa

Cameron Smith

• 18 Apr 2023 14:10 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea's search for a new goalkeeper has reportedly seen them land on Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Gregor Kobel following his immense display against the Blues in the Champions League.

The 25-year-old joined Dortmund from VfB Stuttgart in 2021 and has been the club's first-choice 'keeper since he arrived.

The Blues, who are currently 11th in the Premier League table, are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper, according to reports, as they look to improve their squad ahead of next season.

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Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the number one for the majority of the campaign, thanks to Edouard Mendy's injury issues, but he isn't deemed to be the long-term option by those in high positions at the West London club.

The Spaniard has worn the captain's armband multiple times in recent weeks, but his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain.

In addition, it's deemed unlikely that both he and Mendy will both be at the club once the 2023 summer transfer window slams shut.

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The likes of Illan Meslier, Mike Maignan and David Raya have all been linked with a move to Chelsea, while Jordan Pickford and Robert Sanchez have also been identified as potential targets.

According to Bild, Kobel is high on Chelsea's summer wish list as they look for a replacement for Kepa, but the Swiss international is focused on Dortmund and reportedly doesn't want to leave.

Kobel to Chelsea?

In the first-leg of Chelsea's Champions League last-16 tie against Dortmund, Kobel made seven saves and four punches as he kept an impressive clean sheet at the Signal Iduna Park.

That performance clearly caught the eyes of Chelsea's transfer chiefs and he has now become a key target ahead of the summer window. Kobel didn't feature in the second-leg, and his replacement, Alexander Meyer, conceded twice as Chelsea progressed 2-1 on aggregate.

It remains to be seen whether Blues interim boss Frank Lampard will favour Kepa or Mendy once the latter returns to full fitness. Although Kepa has impressed many this season, seven of the last 14 goals that he has conceded for Chelsea have come from outside the penalty area.

Furthermore, he has also conceded a goal from a shot with less than 0.1 xG in each of his past three appearances and in four of his past five appearances (vs Brighton, Real Madrid, Wolves and Aston Villa).