Chelsea have been linked with a move for Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, as per reports.
The Blues had a relatively good campaign under Frank Lampard, but the goalkeeping area was a problem for the gaffer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has had an inconsistent and error-prone season, and was at times dropped in favour of the more experienced Willy Caballero.
Now, as per Daily Star, Chelsea have earmarked Pope as the player to solve their goalkeeping woes next season.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will have to shell out £50million to bring the former Charlton player back to South London, and there is a high possibility that they will go for him if they are able to sell their £71.6millon record signing, Kepa.
After two seasons in the English top-flight, Kepa is yet to prove his doubters wrong, and with Chelsea looking to challenge the top two next season, they need to act in the on-going transfer window.
Nick Pope – The reliability Chelsea need in goal
Pope, who kept 15 cleansheet in the 2019-20 Premier League season, was narrowly beaten by Manchester City custodian Ederson to the season’s Golden Glove award.
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The Englishman has had an outstanding campaign at Turf Moor, and was a key cog in the team that finished in the top half of the league table.
Pope’s road to the first team has not been easy as he had eight loan spells before getting his big break at Burnley. A shoulder injury to then first-choice ‘keeper Tom Heaton resulted in Pope making his debut in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace in September 2017, and he has never looked back since then.
Pope was one of the cornerstones of Burnley’s successful season in the Premier League 2017-18 season which saw them secure a Europa League qualification spot, recording a total of 114 saves throughout the campaign.
As a matter of fact, 40 of Pope’s 114 saves came from outside the box, while 69 of them were close-range saves. Furthermore, he is someone who has brilliant command in his penalty area and never panics when the area is crowded out during set-piece situations.
His organisational skills are getting better with each passing game. His awareness and decision-making continue to be reliable as he knows when to come out and punch the ball and help his defence out.
Pope has established himself as one of English football’s most creditable shot-stoppers in recent seasons, and he would certainly add more stability to the Chelsea backline.
Having established himself in the Premier League, moving to Chelsea will suit Pope well, and if the Blues have the opportunity to sign him, they should take it.
Stats via Whoscored