Chelsea may not need to look far or long to replace Asmir Begovic as their backup goalkeeper. Marcus Bettinelli may move down the road from Fulham in search of his Premier League debut.
Chelsea have several transfer situations to negotiate that will consume large amounts of time and money. If they can resolve some of the lighter situations quickly and easily, so much the better.
The Blues made good on their promise to transfer Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth earlier this week. The search for his replacement may be over just as smoothly. The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea are considering Marcus Bettinelli from Fulham to be Thibaut Courtois’ backup.
Bettinelli has many of the characteristics of someone who would be willing to accept a transfer, knowing that they would have few opportunities to play. He signed with Fulham in 2012, when the Cottagers were still in the Premier League. Fulham loaned him to Dartford of the National League (the Vanarama National League, for those keeping track at home) for his first year. He was “promoted” to a loan to League Two’s Accrington Stanley the following season.
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He grew big and strong drinking plenty of milk at Accrington Stanley, earning him a starting spot with Fulham in 2014/15. Unfortunately, this was Fulham’s first year back in the Championship.
He made 37 appearances that season. His playing time constricted greatly in the following two seasons. He made 11 and eight appearances in 2015/16 and 2016/17 after getting displaced by Andy Lonergan and David Button, respectively.
Bettinelli allowed one goal in each of his eight league games this season to go 5W-2D-1L. In his three FA Cup appearances he conceded one goal in each of his first two games before shipping three to Tottenham.
Asmir Begovic played eight games for Chelsea this season. Unless Marcus Bettinelli thinks he can overcome David Button as Fulham’s top keeper, he can expect another single-digit season with the Cottagers.
The prospect of more money for a similar number of appearances – and having those appearances be on a better club that will likely go further into domestic cup tournaments – should be enough to convince Bettinelli to take an offer from Chelsea. Not to mention the winners’ medals.
Next: Tammy Abraham moves closer to ideal loan at Newcastle United
Backup keepers are an unusual bunch. Moments of total responsibility punctuate long periods of nothingness, and yet they must maintain absolute match-readiness. Marcus Bettinelli has experience as a starter in the lower tiers and as a backup in the Championship. Being a backup in the Premier League may not be anyone’s childhood dream, but it could be a top opportunity for Bettinelli.