Chelsea's goalkeeper pursuit is proof of HAPHAZARD transfer strategy

Cameron Smith

26 Mar 2024 22:22 GMT
3 min read

Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea are reportedly aiming to sign Brazil goalkeeper Bento following his international debut performance against England on Saturday evening.

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Inter Milan are also interested in signing the Athletico Paranaense number one as they look for a long-term replacement for Yann Sommer, but Chelsea are ready to fight the Italian giants for his signature.

Bento still plys his trade in his native country, but praise has been directed his way by Brazil football legend and former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scholari, who recently admitted: “Every week, Bento (raises his price-tag) by €2 million. I think he’s the best goalkeeper in Brazil.

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“There’s Lucas Perri and Santos. All goalkeepers of great quality. But Bento has stood out for a series of details.”

As per HITC, Bento is one of three names on Chelsea’s goalkeeper shortlist as they look to sign another shot-stopper this summer. Aaron Ramsdale and Giorgi Mamardashvili are also admired by the Blues hierarchy and the west London club are reportedly set to sign one of these three ‘keepers during the upcoming transfer window.

While Bento is clearly a very talented goalkeeper and seemingly has the potential to become one of the very best in the world, Chelsea’s pursuit of the Brazil international is yet more proof of the Blues’ odd transfer strategy.

Since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali arrived as co-owners in 2022, Chelsea have signed three new goalkeepers: Gabriel Slonina, Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic.

In addition, Kepa Arrizabalaga remains contracted to the club and is currently on loan at Real Madrid.

Chelsea’s goalkeeper pursuit makes no sense

Sanchez began the 2023-24 season as Chelsea’s number one, however his injury in December promoted Petrovic and the Serbian has performed admirably over the past few months. In fact, he now looks to have cemented himself as Pochettino’s preferred choice in between the sticks, despite the fact Sanchez is now back to full fitness.

If Chelsea sign Bento, Ramsdale or Mamardashvili, they will likely need to sell Sanchez after just one year at the club and there is no guarantee that Petrovic will be displaced as number one.

For now, Sanchez is a perfectly able back-up, while Petrovic looks to be a very talented ‘keeper and should be prioritised as the club’s number one. Signing a new goalkeeper appears to be somewhat of a primary concern for Chelsea, but it simply shouldn’t be.

Adding a prolific centre forward and a replacement for Thiago Silva if the Brazilian leaves are the necessary moves Chelsea should make in 2024, not a goalkeeper who may end up being a back-up.

Signing a player of Mike Maignan’s calibre, for example, would be a smart idea, but the Blues don’t need another in-house goalkeeper battle. A clear number one and two should be established, and adding Bento to compete with Petrovic would not accomplish this.

Several transfer errors have been made over the past few years and while adding a relatively cheap goalkeeper wouldn’t match Chelsea’s biggest clangers of late, the Blues are still prioritising signings they simply don’t need.