The goalkeeping situation at Chelsea will require sorting out in the summer window and it seems the Blues are keen on bringing one or two in, including Real Madrid’s Fran Gonzalez.
At the moment, Chelsea have their first-choice option Robert Sanchez and behind the Spaniard, there is Filip Jorgensen and Gabriel Slonina. In the summer, Mike Penders will return to the club from Strasbourg.
But Chelsea are supposedly looking to sign a new starting goalkeeper come the summer window, despite the improved form of Sanchez. There is also hope among those at Chelsea that Penders can be that man.
Does Jorgensen deserve to start over Sanchez?
Jorgensen linked with West Ham and Leverkusen
Slonina is likely to go on loan, Penders’ future is unclear until he returns and Filip Jorgensen attracted interest from West Ham and Leverkusen in January. A couple of new goalkeepers could be brought in.
Chelsea open talks to sign Thibaut Courtois protege
At the end of the 2024-25 season, 20-year-old Fran Gonzalez was thrown into the Real Madrid starting line-up. The Spain U21 star saw out the entire 90 minutes as Madrid were beaten at home by Valencia.
Thibaut Courtois and Fran Gonzalez.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Despite defeat on his debut, Gonzalez remains highly-rated. He’s yet to make a second Madrid outing, however, and the summer will be a pivotal one. Whether he opts to remain or search for pastures new.
According to Spanish journalist Jorge C Picon, Sanchez has a few options. He can either remain at Madrid where he may eventually replace Thibaut Courtois. Indeed, Madrid have a ‘blind faith’ in the youngster.
He can go on loan, with Real Sociedad and other Spanish clubs keen. Or, surprisingly, he could join Chelsea permanently. Picon claims Chelsea have identified him as the future of their goalkeeping options.
Real Madrid provide Chelsea with a reply but interest remains
Picon reports that Chelsea have made an approach to Picon’s camp and have signified that they would be interested in signing the youngster in due course. However, Madrid have told Chelsea there’s no chance.
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“Abroad, Chelsea have already conveyed a strong interest to his camp. They want to turn him into their goalkeeper of the future – something Real Madrid aren’t considering,” Picon reports on his X channel.
Interest in senior goalkeepers is understandable. If Chelsea want to become a genuine title rival, they need a lot better than Sanchez in goal. Mile Svilar, Robin Roefs and Bart Verbruggen have been linked.
But is there really any need to sign a 20-year-old goalkeeper who is miles off the Chelsea first team? Realistically, he will be loaned to Strasbourg, struggle to start, and end up in the Under-21’s.
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