Kepa to Real Madrid: Chelsea's goalkeeper situation is a MESS

James Shearman

• Updated: 13 Aug 2023 13:04 BST
• 3 min read

Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal.

Kepa had been in talks with Bayern Munich over the past week before Madrid targeted him as a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

The Spaniard has reportedly said goodbye to his Chelsea teammates and will sign the contract in Madrid soon.

MORE: Chelsea talks with midfielder break down

Chelsea's goalkeeper situation

The Blues have handled the goalkeeper situation poorly throughout the transfer window - besides letting go of Edouard Mendy to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for £16 million.

The original plan was for Kepa to also be sold and for a top goalkeeper to be brought in, as well as a cheap backup option.

However, as there was seemingly no market for Kepa, the Blues then decided to sign someone to compete with the Spaniard, rather than be the obvious first choice.

£25m was spent on Robert Sanchez from Brighton and Chelsea were to enter the season with two capable keepers.

However, Kepa is now departing the west London club for Real Madrid.

So, Chelsea will sign another goalkeeper before the end of the window, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Illan Meslier touted as players on their shortlist.

Should one of those be signed, the Blues will again be in the same situation of having two capable keepers.

In that case, what was the point of letting Kepa go?

Not to mention, there is no option for Madrid to buy him so he will return to the club next season anyway.

Essentially, by the time the window closes, Chelsea will have let go of two decent goalkeepers and replaced them with two decent goalkeepers at a net cost of around £30m.

Meanwhile, Manchester United spent £47m on Andre Onana - one of the very best in the world.