Xabi Alonso makes brutal Mike Penders decision as six-man Chelsea shortlist created
Xabi Alonso will not take charge of Chelsea officially until July 1 but be sure, the new Blues gaffer will not be waiting around to make decisions. Just ask Mike Penders and Robert Sanchez.
For the entirety of the Liam Rosenior reign, it was believed that impressive Belgian goalkeeper Penders would return to Chelsea in the summer and compete for the starting spot between the Chelsea sticks.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Even this week, following the news that Alonso would become Chelsea’s next permanent manager come July, it was believed that Alonso would delay a decision when he sees both Penders and Sanchez train.
But a new report suggests Alonso is now not willing to wait that long. The Spaniard has requested a new, more experienced option is bought between the sticks, with Alonso seeing that as an important cog.
Shortlist created as Xabi Alonso chooses against Mike Penders
Penders is due to return to Chelsea in the summer after an impressive stint out on loan at Strasbourg. But instead of placing their faith in the former Genk goalkeeper, Alonso and his team want a new signing.
According to TeamTalk, Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of six new goalkeepers after performing a u-turn on their stance over whether a goalkeeper is needed. Alonso wants an experienced shot-stopper.
That leaves the future of both Penders and Sanchez in doubt, while Chelsea have compiled a six-man shortlist. Premier League trio Robin Roefs, Jordan Pickford and Bart Verbruggen are on the shortlist.
As are Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi and Porto star Diogo Costa. But the goalkeeper at the top of the list is Mike Maignan. A long-term Chelsea target, with the Blues confident he is available again.
Why Alonso prefers an elder, more-experienced goalkeeper
In both of his senior management roles, Alonso has enjoyed success with an older head between the sticks. One that can operate as a leader. At Bayer Leverkusen, his captain was Lukas Hradecky.
What would you go with for the Spurs game? A back three or back four?
The experienced Czech Republic stopper was reliable and one Alonso could rely on, not having to worry about Hradecky making a mistake. At Madrid, the same – former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois.
At Chelsea, Alonso will lack that option when he arrives at the club in due course. If he wants a similar option to Courtois or Hradecky, signing Maignan or Everton’s England star Pickford makes sense.
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