{"id":10376,"date":"2026-05-19T02:43:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=10376"},"modified":"2026-05-19T02:43:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:43:19","slug":"chelsea-loanee-could-become-major-casualty-of-xabi-alonso-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=10376","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea loanee could become major casualty of Xabi Alonso era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_9\"><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=67 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Chelsea&rsquo;s goalkeeper situation has become impossible to ignore heading into the summer.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=68 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-(18px) md:mt-0 mb-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"69\">Chelsea\u2019s goalkeeper situation has become impossible to ignore heading into the summer.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Following the Blues&#39; decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as Liam Rosenior&#39;s permanent successor, one of the first issues the Spaniard will need to tackle is deciding on who is going to be his number one next season.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6c\">Following the Blues&#8217; decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as Liam Rosenior&#8217;s permanent successor, one of the first issues the Spaniard will need to tackle is deciding on who is going to be his number one next season.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6d q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Despite being given ample opportunities, neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen have managed to fully convince during their time at Stamford Bridge and too often this has led to a shaky defence.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6e q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6f\">Despite being given ample opportunities, neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen have managed to fully convince during their time at Stamford Bridge and too often this has led to a shaky defence.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6g q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>As a result of their problems in between the sticks, according to recent reports, Chelsea will look to bring in a new goalkeeper in time for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6h q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6i\">As a result of their problems in between the sticks, according to recent reports, Chelsea will look to bring in a new goalkeeper in time for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6j q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Chelsea big fans of Sunderland&#39;s Robin Roefs<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6k q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6l\">Chelsea big fans of Sunderland&#8217;s Robin Roefs<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6m q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Set to pursue a new goalkeeper, according to The Sun, Chelsea are serious about signing Sunderland&#39;s Robin Roefs this summer.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6n q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6o\">Set to pursue a new goalkeeper, according to The Sun, Chelsea are serious about signing Sunderland&#8217;s Robin Roefs this summer.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6p q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The 23-year-old hasn&#39;t just been one of Sunderland&#39;s best players this season, he&#39;s been one of the Premier League&#39;s. The Dutchman has looked solid in nearly every game he&#39;s featured and has helped put the Black Cats in line to finish inside the top half.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6q q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">The 23-year-old hasn&#8217;t just been one of Sunderland&#8217;s best players this season, he&#8217;s been one of the Premier League&#8217;s. The Dutchman has looked solid in nearly every game he&#8217;s featured and has helped put the Black Cats in line to finish inside the top half.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6s q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>However, luring Roefs away from the Stadium of Light won&#39;t be easy. Not only is he arguably Regis Les Bris&#39; most important player, but he also has four years left on his contract.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6t q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6u\">However, luring Roefs away from the Stadium of Light won&#8217;t be easy. Not only is he arguably Regis Les Bris&#8217; most important player, but he also has four years left on his contract.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>As a result, The Sun&#39;s report claims Sunderland would demand upwards of &pound;50 million for Roefs. A hefty price tag for a goalkeeper who would be expected to have an instant impact in one of the most high-pressured positions. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">As a result, The Sun&#8217;s report claims Sunderland would demand upwards of \u00a350 million for Roefs. A hefty price tag for a goalkeeper who would be expected to have an instant impact in one of the most high-pressured positions. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Mike Penders could be biggest loser of potential Roefs signing<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">Mike Penders could be biggest loser of potential Roefs signing<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=71 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>One of the more interesting parts of this story is what it potentially means for the type of team Alonso wants to build.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=72 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">One of the more interesting parts of this story is what it potentially means for the type of team Alonso wants to build.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=74 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Because while Roefs still fits BlueCo&rsquo;s preferred young age profile, he doesn&#39;t feel like just another &#39;maybe&#39; signing based entirely around his future potential. The former NEC Nijmegen keeper has already proven he can do it at the highest level. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">Because while Roefs still fits BlueCo\u2019s preferred young age profile, he doesn&#8217;t feel like just another &#8216;maybe&#8217; signing based entirely around his future potential. The former NEC Nijmegen keeper has already proven he can do it at the highest level. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=77 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>He has kept 10 clean sheets in 34 Premier League appearances. Keeping the ball out of his net in nearly 33 per cent of the games he&#39;s played in is hugely impressive considering this season has been his first in England&#39;s top-flight.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">He has kept 10 clean sheets in 34 Premier League appearances. Keeping the ball out of his net in nearly 33 per cent of the games he&#8217;s played in is hugely impressive considering this season has been his first in England&#8217;s top-flight.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Roefs may still be relatively inexperienced, but there is already a maturity and calmness to his game which perhaps explains why Chelsea are ramping up their interest.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Roefs may still be relatively inexperienced, but there is already a maturity and calmness to his game which perhaps explains why Chelsea are ramping up their interest.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=7d q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Mike Penders, currently on loan with Strasbourg, will return at the end of the season, but following his parent club&#39;s links to Roefs, may not end up being given the number one jersey, despite previously being in line to.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">Mike Penders, currently on loan with Strasbourg, will return at the end of the season, but following his parent club&#8217;s links to Roefs, may not end up being given the number one jersey, despite previously being in line to.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=7g q:key=1jXG:QW_7--><!--qv q:id=7h q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-PR6RmUkK.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc(0 1)\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"7i\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=7h q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-(#F0F0F0)\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-(16px)\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"hidden pt-(1px) leading-(1.4) md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-(12px) w-(6px) md:h-(8px) md:w-(4px)\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea\u2019s goalkeeper situation has become impossible to ignore heading into the summer. Following the Blues&#8217;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10376"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10376\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}