According to recent reports in Spain by Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea have lost interest in signing Real Madrid star Andriy Lunin. The Blues are in a desperate need for a goalkeeper to provide competition for Robert Sanchez. The Spanish goalkeeper signed for the London club last summer but has suffered severe injuries and produced poor performances raising doubts. Therefore, Chelsea’s number one spot remains open and vulnerable. New boss Enzo Maresca has asked for a top goalkeeper this summer to bolster their goalkeeper spot. The Ukranian goalkeeper has handed a transfer request to Madrid and his fee is expected to be around €40m.
Real Madrid’s first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury and was absent for almost the whole season. Madridistas had given up all hopes of glory until Andriy Lunin turned up as Madrid’s messiah and saved them. The 25 year old faced an xG of 35 but conceded only 26, keeping 21 cleansheets. He heroically saved crucial penalties against Manchester City in the Champions league semifinal tie-breaker. Top clubs in Europe like Manchester City and PSG are eyeing the youngster. Chelsea are out of the race because they want cheaper alternatives. Madrid will be happy to cash in the opportunity. He is the hero Madrid deserves, but not the one it needs right now.
Chelsea reach agreement with Danish international
Reportedly Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen from Villareal. The deal is expected to cost around €25m which is way lesser than Lunin’s fee. The 22 year old agreed on personal terms a few weeks ago, and now the clubs are expected to accept terms. It is likely that he will be available for the preseason friendlies in August for Enzo Maresca’s side. The arrival of the Dane indicates Petrovic’s tenure at London is coming to an end.
According to Football Insider, the 22 year old is set to undergo a Chelsea medical in the USA in the next few days. The youngster has brilliant reflexes and is brilliant in 1v1 situations. He is calm on the ball and likes to play out from the back with possession. He is a suitable for Maresca’s playing style, as he can ping accurate long passes and play out from the back. Chelsea’s high defence line requires a goalie who can adapt to the sweeper keeper role.
The Dane saved 69.4% of the shots he faced per 90. He completed 78% passes accurately which is quite good for a sweeper keeper. Villareal were poor defensively last season, the Dane was the only one with positive output from the backline. His one man performances have impressed viewers and prompted the London club to go for him instead of Real Madrid star Andriy Lunin who is more expensive and also older.
Mammoth task ahead for the Blues this season
Chelsea have started their pre-season campaign and things are not looking well for the Blues. The West London club have spent a fortune on transfers in past few seasons but things haven’t gone according to plan. Chelsea drew 2-2 against League one side Wrexham and surprisingly lost 4-1 against Scottish club Celtic. Manager Enzo Maresca started strong first team lineups in both the games, yet they failed to deliver against comparatively weaker teams on paper.
The playing style of the Spaniard coach is high risk, high reward football. However, the Blue’s midfield looked tired and lack of chemistry between the players is visible. The coach is yet to find the best of his players. The defenders are trying to adapt to his style of play but mistakes were plenty during buildup which led to goals being conceded. However, new signing Marc Guiu impressed in his unofficial debut for the Blues. The attack looks promising but the manager still has work to do in the middle of the park and the backline.
The Spanish manager remains confident of his tactical prowess and has assured fans that things will change. He admitted to his team’s flaws against Celtic. He says;
“We are still confusing things on the ball and off the ball, it is normal in this moment when we are trying to do something new.”
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