Chelsea keep, sell or loan ahead of 2022/23: Goalkeepers
2. Kepa Arrizabalaga
Arrizabalaga has had a very mixed Chelsea career up until now. After he was made the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in the 2018 summer transfer window by the Blues, Arrizabalaga had an impressive season under Maurizio Sarri, where he played 54 games in all competitions and kept 23 clean sheets. Conceding less than a goal per game, the Spaniard went on to win the Europa League and secured a top four spot for the Blues.
Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for him. The season after, costly mistakes started to creep into Arrizabalaga’s game. This cost him his place as a starting goalkeeper and toward the end of the season, then-manager Frank Lampard started preferring Willy Caballero over the record signing. The sour relationship between Lampard and Arrizabalaga saw Chelsea sign Mendy, making Arrizabalaga the second choice. Even after the sacking of Lampard, Thomas Tuchel preferred to play Mendy as his No. 1.
Arrizabalaga has managed to get his confidence back and improve his performances under Tuchel, but there’s still a feeling that he should leave Chelsea for his own good. Arrizabalaga did etch his name in the Blues’ history book by surpassing Petr Cech with the most penalty saves. Seeing as Arrizabalaga’s contract expires in 2025, now seems to be the right time to sell him, but the main issue is with him is the high wages. Being one of the highest earners at Chelsea with a salary of around £155,000 per week, Arrizabalaga is valued at £9 million by Transfermarkt. For this reason, there is no point in expecting a large fee in return for any possible sale. Chelsea should accept the loss and move on for both the team’s and Arrizabalaga’s sake.
Any offer of around £10 to 15 million should be accepted by the club.
Verdict: Sell or loan with obligation to buy
3. Marcus Bettinelli
Marcus Bettinelli signed for Chelsea on a free transfer last summer window after his contract expired at Fulham. He was signed as a third-choice goalkeeper behind Mendy and Arrizabalaga. As a third-choice keeper, Bettinelli has done well. He did play the first FA Cup game for Chelsea. His contract is set to expire at the end of next season, but seeing as he’s only being paid a small wage of £35,000 per week, Bettinelli will definitely be a part of the club until at least the end of the 2022/23 campaign. He might even be given a new contract at the end of next season too, should he want to stay. At least for now, there are more positions to worry about.