The third choice keeper is of little consequence for most clubs. Chelsea would like them to be homegrown, but seems to favor the old over the young.
Who sits in the third keeper’s seat is really of little consequence. The first choice will play the majority of matches, the backup will be there for rotational purposes, and the third keeper is only around in case of emergencies.
But at Chelsea, the third choice keeper has been used so little over the years that really anyone could take the spot. It would be ideal (and smart) for them to be homegrown, but beyond that it is inconsequential.
Chelsea also appears to have a type for the role now too. For years, the Blues have favored age over youth for the third keeper spot. This becomes an unnecessary practice that is set to continue. Robert Green is set to join the Blues to keep the trend going.
It is somewhat understandable as to why Chelsea prefers older keepers. They offer another piece of experience to the squad, both as a whole and for the younger keepers. But Chelsea also is not taking on former world class players. They are taking anyone and everyone that will join to sit in the seat.
Before Green (assuming he signs) was Eduardo, strangely on loan at Vitesse currently. Before Eduardo there was Marco Amelia, who at least made the bench several times with Thibaut Courtois injured. Combined, Eduardo and Amelia played a whopping zero minutes for Chelsea. The 2014/2015 season was a rare exemption to the rule with Jamal Blackman taking the seat. Before him the dynasty of Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull reigned.
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So if the third choice virtually never plays and is rarely formerly world class, is there any benefit at all in having it be someone older? The answer is no.
Robert Green would continue the trend and thankfully be homegrown (unlike the previous several seasons which is a waste of a non homegrown spot), but he would be unnecessary. Chelsea could throw any of Jared Thompson, Marcin Bulka, or Bradley Collins into the spot and still have them compete with their respective youth team. They would get to train everyday with the first team and the first team’s goalkeeper coaches. And if they need to be called on as a backup, they would be much better prepared for it.
The only downside of being a third choice keeper is that it obviously prevents a loan. But that would matter little to Bulka or Thompson who are both young enough to not yet need to be sent out. Even if being third choice for a year is preparatory before a loan, it would be immensely more beneficial than having that preparation done in the academy. It would also make more sense for Chelsea to pay an academy player to take the role than it would be to find and hire someone older (and likely on a hire wage that they will never pay for with minutes).
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Chelsea could do far worse than signing Green, but they could do much better by using what they already have. Chelsea should not be setting themselves up as the final pay day for random keepers. Instead, they should be the first stop in a world class career for their academy keepers.