A player branded a ‘calamity’ by Chelsea fans now looks a prime candidate for a reunion with Graham Potter at West Ham as the Blues make 10 stars available in a major summer clearout.
All the signs point towards an inevitable deal between West Ham and Chelsea after developments this week.
Chelsea have been wasting little time adding yet more top young talent to their bloated squad after qualifying for the Champions League.
West Ham striker targets of past and present Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap look set to join Chelsea.
The Hammers simply cannot compete with the elite clubs for that kind of talent in the transfer market.
Chelsea and West Ham operating at different levels in market
West Ham paid Chelsea £1.2m to reunite Graham Potter with Kyle Macaulay, who has been appointed head of recruitment at the London Stadium.
They are looking to take a different approach, bringing in young, dynamic talent in the last two years of their contracts in the hope of striking some affordable deals.
While Chelsea have been making hay in the market already, the transfer window had been open less than 24 hours when West Ham suffered their first blow.
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Having released long-serving Lukasz Fabianski, the Hammers are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
There has been speculation high-earning and inconsistent number one Alphonse Areola could be sold by West Ham this summer amid interest from the likes of Espanyol.
The Hammers had been linked with a move for Liverpool back-up stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.
But Brentford swooped to beat West Ham to Kelleher, leaving many Hammers fans angry.
Especially as all roads lead to Aaron Ramsdale for West Ham amid reports he is a top target for Potter.
‘Calamity’ star set for Potter reunion as Chelsea transfer list 10?
That was until yesterday.
Because a ‘calamity’ star could now be set for a Potter reunion at West Ham as Chelsea transfer list 10 players.
And he could well be joined by a Blues coach in yet another reunion with West Ham’s manager.
There was sadness among Hammers fans when the club announced long-serving goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero was being let go after seven years.
The highly respected Spaniard had remained the one constant on the West Ham coaching staff under Manuel Pellegrini, David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and now Potter.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
But Valero is moving on with – in his own words – ‘great sadness’.
Chelsea’s Ben Roberts – who was goalkeeping coach under Potter at both Brighton and Stamford Bridge – has been linked as Valero’s replacement in east London.
Whether Roberts joins Potter and Macaulay at West Ham remains to be seen.
But links with Robert Sanchez now seem almost inevitable given the Hammers are on the hunt for a new first-team goalkeeper.
Because The Guardian claims the Blues have transfer listed 10 players including Sanchez and fellow ‘keeper Djordje Petrovic.
Chelsea make Sanchez available as West Ham hunt new ‘keeper
Chelsea News claims Roberts is close friends with Sanchez and is unpopular among Blues fans for bringing the ‘calamity’ goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea would clearly be delighted to offload Sanchez for a reunion with Potter – who he played under at Brighton and in west London.
Whether Hammers fans would quite feel the same way is unlikely given his reputation since his move from the Seagulls to the Blues.
But is 27-year-old Sanchez as bad as the reputation that precedes him?
And would he be an upgrade or downgrade on fan favourite Fabianski, who many felt should have been retained for another season despite being over 40.
Statistic Lukasz Fabianski Robert Sanchez
Premier League appearances 376 135
Clean sheets 92 40
Goals conceded 529 158
Saves 1,214 363
Saves per match 3.23 2.69
Penalties faced/saved 51/11 21/3
Punches 202 32
High claims 479 165
Sweeper clearances 148 75
Throw outs 1,822 684
Lukasz Fabianski vs Robert Sanchez Premier League statistic comparison