Chelsea must act now to upgrade a position that is in need of improvement this summer. Xabi Alonso will already be well aware of where he wants to strengthen this summer after taking the Stamford Bridge mantle immediately after the season finished.
It was a hugely frustrating season for the Blues, who went from being Champions League candidates to out of Europe altogether. A return to the top four will be expected next season, but it's clear some positions need to be added to, including the goalkeeper position.
Diogo Costa opportunity
Record are reporting that FC Porto goalkeeper is not untouchable as far as a summer transfer goes. The Portugal keeper did recently sign a new contract, and Porto would certainly prefer to keep him, so the asking price is not a cheap one at £51million, but a deal is there to be done.
Whether Chelsea want to spend so much on another goalkeeper remains to be seen, particularly as they can probably get long-term target Mike Maignan for much cheaper.
But Costa, who is also a long-term target, is significantly younger at just 26 years of age, and Chelsea would be buying a goalkeeper who could, theoretically, stay in place for 8-10 years should things work out.
Costa is a vastly experienced goalkeeper for club and country, and he is certainly in the conversation when it comes to the top bracket of goalkeepers.
Former Portugal goalkeeper VÃtor BaÃa once said: “He has something special, he’s fantastic. He’s in the top 3 best goalkeepers in the world. I find it hard to understand how he’s not yet at a club in one of the major leagues. At FC Porto he will always be great, but I see him at one of the ‘big five’."
Chelsea need to pull the trigger
The Robert Sanchez question is not going away. Chelsea know they need to upgrade on the Spaniard, who has simply been too error-prone to be a goalkeeper for a team with future title ambitions.
Sanchez has produced some big performances, and there is no doubting he deserves to be playing for a Champions League team. But Chelsea need to be ruthless if they want to catch the likes of Arsenal, and they need someone more reliable.
Costa has been ultra-reliable for club and country, and while £51million is a lot, it could well solve the goalkeeping position for years to come, making it a cheap deal in the long run. You get what you pay for, and Costa is world-class.
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