Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been told to leave the club next summer by former midfielder Jason McAteer, who has suggested Chelsea as a potential destination.
Kelleher, 26, has acted as a backup behind Alisson for several years, and has impressed during his 12 appearances this season. In showing his quality, the Republic of Ireland now see Kelleher as their No. 1, but Alisson remains Arne Slot's preferred option and Liverpool also spent $32 million to sign Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in August.
Liverpool rejected offers for Kelleher in the summer despite his clear stance that he wants to be a No. 1 choice, and with his contract expiring in 2026, it's expected that he will be sold. Kelleher's strong performances have increased his value, and McAteer believes that Liverpool should allow the goalkeeper to join Premier League rivals Chelsea.
"I think Caoimhin got to the point in his career now where he's going to have to make a big choice at the end of the season," McAteer said on beIN Sports. "If he wants a career somewhere else and play rather than just sit on the bench waiting to get in to play in a number of games for Liverpool.
"Chelsea is the big one. (Robert) Sanchez, I don't think he's... no. I think you should get Caoimhin out now. I think his valuation certainly would have gone up over the last couple of seasons with what we've seen.
"You're probably maybe looking in the region of 30 to 40 million for him. With Mamardashvili coming in, I think that's saying to him 'Go and have a career'."
Chelsea are enjoying a strong season, and only Liverpool has made a better start in the Premier League. Despite heavy investment into the squad, the goalkeeping position remains an area of weakness, and McAteer believes that Kelleher could be the solution.
Kelleher's shown he can perform in the Premier League for a top club, and even kept two clean sheets against Chelsea during cup finals at Wembley. The Irish goalkeeper wants to play, and hasn't been shy when revealing his intentions.
"I was quite clear [last summer] that I wanted to play first-team football, whether that was here or elsewhere. I wanted to be a No 1," Kelleher explained, via the Telegraph. "That was my thought process – but it’s always been my thought process because, obviously, I am a football player and, like every player, I want to play.
"I’m not going to enjoy myself or be happy sitting on the bench. When I was coming through the academy to work my way up, obviously, when you first get into the No. 2 position you’re happy, and it’s progress. I think with anything after a while, maybe after doing a few seasons of a similar thing, you want to keep pushing forward and keep going to the next level.
"I’ve played a lot of games now as well and shown my level. The next step for me is to be playing week in, week out and every week. There was some interest. It’s normal when you play for a club like Liverpool – and I obviously had a long spell in goal last season and thought I did quite well. It comes hand in hand that when you play for a club like Liverpool, then other teams will be interested in you."