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Chelsea transfer roundup 2 August to 8 August 2021

By ROSHAAN KAPOOR

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Zeno Ibsen Rossi of AFC Bournemouth battles for possession with Armando Broja of Chelsea during the Pre-Season Friendly match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Zeno Ibsen Rossi of AFC Bournemouth battles for possession with Armando Broja of Chelsea during the Pre-Season Friendly match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /
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CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 20: Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli in action during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Fulham FC at Cardiff City Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 20: Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli in action during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Fulham FC at Cardiff City Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

3. Marcus Bettinelli signs for Chelsea on a free

Chelsea completed its first signing in this window after reaching an agreement to sign Marcus Bettinelli on a free for two years. This is not a signing the fans much care about, but this deal is important seeing as it covers a gaping hole in the squad left by Chelsea’s third-choice shot stopper Willy Caballero. The 29-year-old, who was a free agent after his deal with Fulham expired, has completed his medical and been unveiled as a new Blues player.

Bettinelli was promoted to the senior squad at Fulham as a teenager in 2012/13 and went on to make 120 appearances for the Cottagers in all competitions. The one-time England U21 international has spent time on loan at Dartford and Accrington Stanley. Last season, he went out on loan to Middlesbrough and made 42 appearances in all competitions, keeping 13 clean sheets as the Boro finished 10th in the Championship. The addition of Bettinelli to the squad also helps the club in boosting the home-grown quota due to his English nationality.

In his first interview as a Chelsea player, Marcus Bettinelli said:

"“This is one of the biggest clubs in the world so I’m thankful to be here now. I have this amazing opportunity so it’s down to me to impress and do what I can. I’m excited to work with those two world-class goalkeepers and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from them both. One of the biggest reasons for joining Chelsea is I’ve still got a lot to give.”"

Now, as Chelsea has three goalkeepers for the next season—including Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga—the club can now focus on signing new players and selling fringe English players like Danny Drinkwater, Lewis Baker, Jake Clarke-Salter and many more.

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