Chelsea: The Blues seem to have a plan between the sticks

Chelsea seemingly has a plan for its goalkeeping position, one that includes keeping current No. 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga on board.

Take a deep breath, Chelsea fans, help is on the way. While it may not be a world class goalkeeper like Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak or even someone familiar with the English game like Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, rest assured, the Blues will be in good hands.

The current chatter of the community is centered around Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that Chelsea was taking a look at the Senegalese shot stopper and while the Blues had their first bid rejected, they have swooped in with a second bid. This may not be the situation supporters desired in goal for the upcoming season, but after a number of dream signings elsewhere in the XI, this is the avenue the team is traveling down.

The acquisition of a keeper like Mendy will not directly replace Kepa Arrizabalaga right away. The Spaniard is still Chelsea’s No. 1 as Frank Lampard and his staff look to bring in a highly regarded goalkeeper to challenge Arrizabalaga.

The fact of the matter is, it would’ve been nearly impossible to replace the 25-year-old with an elite option and find a formidable suitor for the former in the same summer. Chelsea’s already backed up the bank truck multiple times this offseason, it wasn’t going to do it again for another goalkeeper. Just two seasons ago, the Blues broke the world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper to bring Arrizabalaga in. Offloading him now would be financial suicide.

Further, getting rid of Arrizabalaga may not be the best thing for the long-term future. Although his last season between the sticks was abysmal, Arrizabalaga has shown some promise in the past. This—coupled with the fact Chelsea wasn’t going to shatter the goalkeeping transfer record for a second time in three years—will likely result in the Spain international staying put for another season.

The Blues have been scouting Mendy for a couple of years, which is a promising sign seeing as the Arrizabalaga acquisition was a shot in the dark by Maurizio Sarri’s camp. A move for Mendy is a safe one, both financially and tactically. For a transfer fee in the region of £20 million, the Blues have a low risk, high reward player with the potential to become their starter. Plus, given Rennes’ interest, a possible Ligue 1 loan for Fikayo Tomori could be on the table.

Chelsea’s pursuit of a value goalie also displays the fact the club has a clear plan and Lampard knows where the team’s cracks are. To those of us on the outside, it was a frequent question this season as to who shouldered most of the blame: Arrizabalaga or the defense? Given Lampard’s continued interest in Declan Rice, and the team’s pursuit of Mendy, it seems as if the central defense was at the heart of the team’s problem—but not all of them. If this is the case, the Blues would be smart to hang on to Arrizabalaga and give him another shot, but with a back-up waiting in the wings.

Don’t be surprised when you see the Spaniard starting against Brighton on the opening day of the Premier League season. However, know that the Blues will likely have a viable No. 1 sitting on the bench and waiting for his chance as the Chelsea goalkeeper—in Lampard and Petr Cech we trust.