Brendan Rodgers emphatically ruled out the transfer rumours linking his current goalkeeper Craig Gordon with Rodgers’ former club, Chelsea.
Former Chelsea reserve team coach (some would say legend) Brendan Rodgers is not interested in doing business with his former employer. The Celtic manager understands why the Blues would want to purchase his starting keeper, Craig Gordon. And for precisely that reason, Rodgers did his best to quash those rumours.
Gordon has started 17 of Celtic’s 21 game this season. Celtic have a 21 point lead in first place in the Scottish Premiership and a +41 goal differential. Understandably, Rodgers sees little reason to dispense with a player who has been key in that run.
"Craig is very much part of what I am doing here… Would Chelsea be wasting their time? Yes, of course. We don’t want to sell him. His contract is up at the end of the season but the club have the option of another year. Selling Craig’s not something we would even consider. – Yahoo Sports"
Rodgers’ firm position is unwelcome news for Bournemouth and possibly Asmir Begovic, depending on his thoughts on the matter. Bournemouth are hoping to secure at least a loan, if not a full transfer, for Begovic in the January window. Chelsea will not move Begovic unless they can secure a replacement keeper to stand between Eduardo and the pitch.
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If Chelsea do not sign Craig Gordon or Diego Lopez in the next few days, they will probably open their range of options during the summer transfer window. Gordon and Lopez are both solid “January transfer” candidates, particularly given the offers to move Begovic and being respectful of his desire for playing time. But at 34 (Gordon) and 35 (Lopez) years old, neither will be on the wishlist come the summer.
Chelsea will have more need for a solid backup goalkeeper next year when they return to European football. Begovic desires and deserves consistent playing time. He will be hard-pressed to sit the bench another year, even with the Champions League in sight.
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Chelsea will more likely pursue a younger backup goalkeeper who can grow into the starting role. The Blues already have one little-seen keeper in his mid-30s. If they can avoid bringing on another, they certainly will.