Chelsea must prioritise a new No.1 goalkeeper now – Talk Chelsea

If Chelsea seriously want to be challenging back at the very top in football again then they must absolutely sign a new goalkeeper this summer.

I am a massive advocate for the defensive midfield role being the most important in any team, and I maintain this. But there are well said and valid arguments that the goalkeeper is THE most important position in any team, and I certainly do not disagree with that statement.

For Chelsea, both the above positions have become hugely important to get spot on now this summer, as well as the striker. The spine of team is most important, there is no debate, and we lack one badly.

This is why I was in disbelief to see the reliable Matt Law of The Telegraph write yesterday that we are pondering not signing a new number one and keeping Kepa Arrizabalaga in that role instead.

Law said:

“New head coach Mauricio Pochettino is also likely to be asked whether he would object to starting the season with Kepa Arrizabalaga as his No 1, with a number of options still believed to be open.

“While Onana and Maignan are Chelsea’s top targets for the goalkeeping position, the prospect of starting next season with Kepa as Pochettino’s No 1 has not yet been ruled out.

“Edouard Mendy is likely to be made available for transfer, but Chelsea will be aware that selling or even loaning out Kepa is likely to be very difficult and that will be discussed within the club’s planning process over goalkeepers.”

Of course, in the sense of searching for balance as I always like to do, this bit of the article was a little more speculative than the rest. But even still, the words were said, and we all know that Law is reliable. So what on earth is going on there? Was it some sort of PR attempt? Surely not? Or is this something that Chelsea are genuinely pondering? I sincerely hope not, I really do.

I am absolutely going to give Chelsea the benefit of the doubt by not over reacting to one piece of news that is largely just speculative. And also, I am very adamant that I will not judge our transfer window this summer until all is said and done and it is concluded.

There is literally no point in us getting angry and reacting to every little report, for our own sakes as much as anything else. So this is what I will be trying my upmost to do. We cannot give our verdict on our transfer window until it is over and we see what we have.

But emotions are natural, especially in football, and it did annoy me to see/think that Chelsea might even be contemplating NOT signing a new number on this summer.

Law’s article makes me wonder just how much of a budget we have for a new stopper? And that does concern me a little.

Now the bit that Law said about Edouard Mendy still planning to be sold gives me some hope. Kepa might not be sold this summer, which is fine, as long as we still sign a new number one rather than giving that to Kepa. I don’t mind if Kepa wants to stay as backup/competition. But it’s imperative that we sign a top-quality new number one if we seriously want to start challenging back up the top again.

I don’t even dislike or not rate Kepa as much as many do, and the same really for Mendy. But neither are Chelsea number one quality I am afraid and if anyone thinks otherwise, I’d have some concerns about those views.

I am adamant by the way that Pochettino, who’s decision it will apparently be based on the info above, will absolutely make the right call here. I trust his footballing knowledge on this one and believe he will see/know that neither of Kepa or Mendy can be our/his number one going forward.

As I said though, some of the other words in this article concerned me a little as well.

“Chelsea have already demonstrated a willingness to pull out of a deal they feel is too expensive, having dropped out of the bidding for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, and could do so again if the demands for Onana and Maignan are too high.”

Now this isn’t negative, far from it. I am pleased that we are not willing to have our pants pulled down by clubs. But when you are looking at £50m for Onana for example, to me, that is a good deal. Top quality goalkeepers are hard to come by, and Onana ticks so many boxes.

This certainly isn’t a price tag/deal that we should be walking away from in my view. And of course, as we know, there are players we can add in to it to sweeten the deal/drastically lower than fee.

Every top club needs a top-quality goalkeeper. Chelsea right now, do not have one. It’s vital we address this, and I have faith that we will. So, although I’ve written this article with some concerns and frustrations, I am not over reacting to this news and I have full belief that we/Poch/the club will do the right thing here.