Chelsea FC To Sign World Cup Winning Free Agent As Asmir Begovic Cover
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Chelsea FC are reportedly set to sign Marco Amelia as they look to add experienced cover for Asmir Begovic.
According to The Guardian, ex-AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia is close to signing a contract with Chelsea FC as the Blues seek to provide Asmir Begovic with suitable cover while Thibaut Courtois is out injured.
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The 33-year-old is currently a free agent and thus Chelsea are within their rights to negotiate a contract with the goalkeeper and add him to their squad. With Courtois out until December at the earliest, an injury to Begovic could really put the club in jeopardy.
"Jose Mourinho is keen to have experienced back-up on the books should the Bosnia and Herzegovina international suffer his own fitness or suspension issues."
Amelia is a veteran of not just the game, but bench-warming too. He made his debut in 2001 and has played for several Italian clubs including Genoa, Palermo and AC Milan. Even though his stint in the capital yielded just 41 competitive appearances in four seasons, he is nonetheless a 2010/11 Serie A winner.
The pinnacle of his career, though, came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Amelia was picked as one of Italy’s three keepers and thus is credited with being a World Cup winner. This despite him making only nine appearances for the national senior team in the last 14 years.
Nevertheless, he still represents a proven and safe pair of hands should lightning strike twice and Begovic succumb to injury.
Begovic has been brilliant for Chelsea this season but has fallen victim to a swiss cheese defence in front of him. With the amount of goal-stopping saves that he has pulled off, there would certainly be trouble should he suffer a niggle.
Currently, youngster Jamal Blackman has been taking a seat on the bench as Chelsea’s effective number two but Mourinho evidently feels that the Englishman is not a viable option beyond the odd game here and there.
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Frankly, this is a bit disappointing as the arrival of Amelia will most likely dash the confidence of the 21-year-old. Having graduated through Chelsea’s academy, his position as third goalkeeper would have filled Blackman with hope of a Capital One Cup appearance at the least. Furthermore, ever since Courtois was ruled out, he must be itching for an opportunity to play his part in this Blues campaign.
Given his age and the fact that he was a registered squad member, you would like to think that Mourinho had some faith in him. However, to be fair to the boss, with Chelsea’s terrible defence at the moment the team needs a well-regarded and proven player between the sticks. Should Chelsea have been leading the Premier League at this point, Mourinho may have well stuck with Blackman as back-up.
Chelsea are languishing in the bottom half of the table, though, and Amelia looks set to come in. I’m just hoping that he will never be needed.
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