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According to reports, Chelsea have had a rethink regarding their goalkeeper situation have a six-man \u2018shortlist\u2019 to replace Roberto Sanchez.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, it was announced that Xabi Alonso<\/strong> had struck a deal to become Chelsea\u2019s new manager ahead of next season, with the Liverpool legend set to replace predecessor Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n Alonso has been preparing for a return to management since leaving Real Madrid at the start of this year, and Chelsea<\/strong> have beaten Liverpool and others to the punch by appointing the Spaniard.<\/p>\n The 44-year-old retains a strong reputation after working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen, and he is probably the best manager the Blues could have hoped for following an embarrassing 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n Despite spending an absolute fortune in the transfer market in recent years, Chelsea could yet finish in the bottom half of the Premier League in a trophyless campaign, and it is clear that a significant squad overhaul is required to take the club forward.<\/p>\n READ: Chelsea and Xabi Alonso an \u2018odd match\u2019 as Klopp comparison made<\/strong><\/p>\n Chelsea are lacking top-quality talent in various departments, including the goalkeeper position, as Sanchez regularly lets his team down.<\/p>\n According to our colleagues at TEAMtalk<\/em>Mike Penders was in line to replace Sanchez as Chelsea\u2019s No.1 before they parted company with Rosenior, but there has been a \u2018significant rethink\u2019 following the appointment of Alonso.<\/p>\n According to the report, \u2018Alonso\u2019s arrival has prompted a wider reassessment of several key positions within the squad, and one major priority now emerging is the signing of a more experienced goalkeeper\u2019.<\/p>\n It is also stated that a new goalkeeper is a \u2018new priority\u2019 for Chelsea this summer, with Everton standout Jordan Pickford and long-term target Mike Maignan among their options.<\/p>\n The report explains:<\/p>\n \u2018Brighton\u2019s Bart Verbruggen and Sunderland\u2019s Robin Roefs are both highly appreciated, particularly due to their long-term potential and modern profiles.<\/p>\n \u2018We can confirm Atalanta\u2019s Marco Carnesecchi and Porto star Diogo Costa are also admired within Chelsea\u2019s recruitment structure.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n READ MORE: Predicting how Xabi Alonso could have Chelsea lining up next season<\/strong><\/p>\n This news emerged after Gary Neville argued that the Blues are a new goalkeeper and three more signings away<\/strong> from being back on track.<\/p>\n He said on his Sky Sports podcast: \u201cChelsea have such an inexperience in the club at every single department. They\u2019ve got inexperience on the pitch and they\u2019re going to have to change their model.<\/p>\n \u201cThis strategy of only signing young player on massive contracts\u2026 no one is saying that signing young players but only signing young players is a big mistake.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the first thing I think Xabi Alonso will do, he will want a new goalkeeper, a centre back and a centre forward with experience.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got some experience in central midfielder with Caicedo, Fernandez and Lavia, so they can keep those together and they\u2019ve got something there.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve also got a sprinkling of those fizzy wingers but they need a top centre forward. Joao Pedro is very good by the way, I like him, and Liam Delap is young.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they need a top centre forward with strength and class, they need a centre back or two and they definitely need a new goalkeeper.<\/p>\n \u201cI think if they can get those four players by spending a couple of hundred million and recycle fee out of the club, Chelsea can become a decent side very quickly, very quickly. They just lack experience and physicality down the spine.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: 16 Conclusions from the FA Cup final: Semenyo, Alonso, Guardiola, Salah, Haaland fury<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nJordan Pickford features on Chelsea\u2019s six-man \u2018shortlist\u2019<\/h2>\n
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