Marcus Bettinelli was planning on going to the Club World Cup with Chelsea until he got a phone call to say Manchester City wanted to sign him.
Marcus Bettinelli
Marcus Bettinelli swapped Chelsea for Manchester City ahead of the Club World Cup
Marcus Bettinelli was always planning on being involved in the Club World Cup this summer, but the identity of the tracksuit he now finds himself wearing in the United States has come as a bit of a surprise.
The popular 33-year-old was one of a cast of thousands when it came to the goalkeeping department at Chelsea, but he had been earmarked for a squad role with Enzo Maresca's side in the 32-team tournament.
Former Fulham stopper Bettinelli was a valued member of the squad at Stamford Bridge and lent his experience to a young squad in that important third-choice goalkeeper role, one that Scott Carson has filled brilliantly at the Etihad for six years.
Carson won the lot with the Blues but made just two appearances in his six seasons at the club. That didn't diminish his value or popularity, but he departed the club at the end of his contract this summer.
City swiftly turned to Bettinelli to fill the void, paying a nominal sum to sign him from Chelsea and register him in time to swap clubs this summer. He has now spent the last couple of weeks integrating with his new teammates in the United States as one of three goalkeepers in Pep Guardiola's 27-man squad, alongside Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
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“It was a bit of a whirlwind. I think the intention was always to go to America with Chelsea, to be honest," said Bettinelli.
“And then I got the phone call from my agent and he said: ‘You might be going to America, but you might be with a different team.’ And he said: ‘Manchester City.’ So, yes, it was obviously a bit of a crazy few days.
“I've done this for the last four years at Chelsea. I don't need to come here and do anything extraordinary. These boys have been winning stuff for years and they've got an extreme mentality.
“So, yes, it's a pleasure to be a part of, a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to train with. Yes, and hopefully I can contribute where I can.”
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