Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is reportedly willing to sell goalkeeper Kepa, who is the club’s costliest player in their history.
The Spaniard’s form has dipped this season, which has resulted in Lampard dropping him from the team, and it seems that he is now ready to let him go, as per Cope.
The report states that the Blues manager may not start Kepa for the remainder of the season and could go into the transfer market to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer.
Kepa is the costliest goalkeeper in the world, having joined the London side for a fee of £71.6 million in 2018. He has gone on to make 85 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea over the last one and a half seasons.
With Chelsea now reportedly keen on signing a replacement, let’s take a look at 3 players they should target:
#3 Andre Onana
Andre Onana was one of the stars of Ajax’s dream 2018-19 season, with many predicting him to leave the club along with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.
While the other two got their big-money moves, Onana has stayed with Ajax for another season, but it may not be for long. The Cameroonian international, who was a part of the Barcelona academy before joining Ajax, could leave soon, after yet another good season for the Dutch giants.
Onana has fantastic reflexes and is very good in one-on-one situations, and is quick off his line. He is a much bigger and imposing figure than Kepa, and could be at home in the rough and tumble of the Premier League, which Kepa has found tough to manage.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma
One of the most exciting and promising players in recent times is AC Milan’s young keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian made his first-team debut at the age of 16, and then played for the first time for the Italian senior team a year later.
At just 20 years of age, Donnarumma has already played over 185 times for Milan and is the club’s most prized asset.
The youngster has been likened to Gianluigi Buffon and is predicted to be as big a star as the Juventus keeper. Donnarumma, who stands at 6’5″, is quick off the line and has great reflexes for a man of his size.
The Italian would be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, but it would require a huge bid by the Blues. Despite Milan being his boyhood club, Donnarumma will want to win trophies, which is not possible considering Milan’s current status.
#1 Jan Oblak
Widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world, Jan Oblak has blossomed at Atletico Madrid since joining them in 2014.
The Slovenian is phenomenal between the sticks with his shot-stopping and impressive reflexes, as well as his commanding presence of the penalty box. Atletico are going through a rough phase and are in transition which would be the opportune moment for Chelsea to swoop in to sign Oblak.
Like Donnarumma, Oblak wouldn’t come at a cheap price as he is one of the best in the world and still has three-and-a-half years remaining in his current contract. What Chelsea will get is a player with a lot of experience and proven ability.