Into the depths pt. 1: Chelsea's keeper corps is strong, but for how long?

Into the depths pt. 1: Chelsea’s keeper corps is strong, but for how long?

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) speaks with Chelsea's French-born Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (R) after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. - The game finished 1-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – AUGUST 11: Chelsea substitute goalkeeper Kepa is mobbed by team mates after saving the crucial penalty of the shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Villarreal CF at Windsor Park on August 11, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

2: Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arrizabalaga’s Chelsea career has hardly been straightforward. Starting as a panicky, albeit necessary signing, Arrizabalaga always had much to live up to. At times, he did so but there were too many moments where he wilted. That led Chelsea to go for Mendy, firmly placing Arrizabalaga as the backup keeper.

There does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel, however. Thomas Tuchel seems to trust Arrizabalaga as the cup keeper and since Tuchel’s arrival (and perhaps even Mendy’s), Arrizabalaga has improved. If he continues as he has been as of late, he just might be the league’s best backup keeper.

Of course, there is always the price tag to consider as well as how long Arrizabalaga will be happy playing second fiddle. Keepers know that they are the least rotated position regardless of performance and at some point, Arrizabalaga might look for another club where he can be the main man outside of cups. He won’t have leverage on that side of things for some time and it’s unlikely other teams offer what Chelsea might ask to sign him. Still, it’s a very finely balanced situation that, thus far, Tuchel has handled brilliantly.

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3: Marcus Bettinelli

Bettinelli is following in the footsteps of most Chelsea’s third choice keepers in recent seasons. He knows the equation. He’s at the club in the event of a worst case scenario. If he makes an appearance, that in of itself will be a surprise. But, again, he knows the situation. There are many more keepers in the game that understand they may rarely if ever play than ones that do actually play. It’s just another uniqueness of their position.

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