Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has reportedly lost patience with current custodian goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and wants to sign a replacement, earmarking Manchester United ‘keeper Dean Henderson.
Henderson is currently on loan at Sheffield United, where he has had a solid season, with many predicting him to become Manchester United’s No. 1 in a few years’ time.
According to Express, Henderson is one of Chelsea’s transfer targets but Sheffield United – the club he’s currently on loan at – want to keep him as well.
Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a fan of Henderson and wants to keep him at the club. The report says that Henderson is not willing to play second fiddle to David de Gea at Old Trafford, and would be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old’s current contract with Manchester United expires only in 2022.
Dean Henderson – A solid option in goal?
Dean Henderson has impressed for the Blades in the two seasons, having moved on loan a couple of years ago. He helped the club in their quest for promotion to the Premier League and has continued his good form in the top-flight.
The Englishman is a good shot-stopper with tremendous reflexes, but he is still inexperienced, which is why Manchester United do not want to offer him the No. 1 spot at the club, despite his good showing.
Kepa, Chelsea’s record signing, has struggled this season with the Blues, and seems to have lost the trust of the manager, after some costly errors.
Henderson is certainly a talent and is one who could be a future England No. 1. But, there are few issues with this transfer. Will Chelsea want to gamble on a young goalkeeper who has played just one full season in the Premier League, and will he be able to handle the pressure that comes with playing for a big side? He has made one or two costly errors that Lampard will be wary about.
Manchester United may also not be inclined on selling – or loaning – Henderson to a rival side like Chelsea. The Englishman still has two years remaining on his current deal and the Red Devils are in a good position financially, so they don’t have to sell Henderson.
They would be better off loaning him to Sheffield United for yet another season for him to get some much-needed experience.
Chelsea also have the tough task of moving on Kepa, who arrived for a big fee, and with most clubs in financial difficulty, there may not be too many takers for the Spaniard. So, even though Henderson would be a pretty good addition, it’s unlikely a deal will pan out.