Willy Caballero will be an absurd first signing for Chelsea’s summer transfer window

Chelsea may open the summer transfer window by announcing the signing of Willy Caballero. The only thing worse than this rumour is just how plausible it sounds.

John Terry’s departure have left Chelsea on the hunt for a player in his mid-30’s with limited play-out-from-the-back capabilities who can spend significant time on the bench. The Blues may have found the perfect replacement in Manchester City’s discarded goalkeeper, Willy Caballero.

Eduardo is wondering what less he could have done to earn a look.

Chelsea need a replacement for Asmir Begovic as backup goalkeeper. Clubs normally have two options as their stand-by keeper behind someone of Thibaut Courtois’ class: very young or very old. They already have Eduardo as the elder statesman of backup keepers. Caballero and Eduardo are fully redundant.

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At the other end of the age scale, Chelsea have one option in the system and another on the transfer market. Marcin Bulka is one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the world. He would be raw but adequate playing in the EFL Cup and early FA Cup matches next season. Chelsea’s defence is only going to improve next season, offering more security in front of a young and untested keeper.

While Bulka develops the Chelsea way out on loan, his peer Gianluigi Donnarumma is demanding the first transfer of his young career. At age 18 Donnarumma has 68 starts over two seasons in Serie A. Chelsea are one of the few teams in Europe where he would not immediately be the starter. But they are also one of the few teams that can fulfill his potential and promise.

Chelsea would have to pay a record fee for a goalkeeper to obtain Donnarumma. His agent is Mino Raiola, of Paul Pogba’s transfer fee fame. Just because he wants to leave AC Milan does not mean Raiola nor the club will let him go cheaply.

Even so, Chelsea would have two options to recoup their investment. Donnarumma could become Chelsea’s starter within three years. He would only be 21, and could start between the posts for Chelsea for a decade or more. His transfer fee would pay for itself early in that stretch. Or, Chelsea could sell him at a profit after a few years. The club that turned a profit on Papy Djilobodji will surely do so on Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Chelsea have one of the best goalkeeping coaching staffs in Europe. Training under them alongside Courtois, with Eduardo providing guidance and mentorship, both Donnarumma and Bulka would approach – if not exceed – Courtois’ level within a few years.

Once they reach their mid-20’s they will not be able to coexist on the same squad. Both will warrant the starting position at a top club. Whichever one Chelsea keeps would backstop a decade or more worth of Premier League and Champion’s League campaigns. The other would leave on a transfer fee that would pay for whichever player Chelsea most wants at the time.

Willy Caballero brings nothing to Chelsea in the short-, medium- or long term. He offers no more security in goal than either teenager. The club will not grow because of his presence, nor will he secure or shape the future of the team. He would occupy a spot that should go to either of two players who have the potential to be Chelsea’s version of Gianluigi Buffon.

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If Chelsea go deep in the domestic cup tournaments and take early leads in their Champions League group, the backup goalkeeper could see 15-20 games in a season. The Blues are better off in every respect giving those opportunities to Marcin Bulka or Gianluigi Donnarumma, not Willy Caballero.