With just over a week to go until the Premier League kicks off, the atmosphere around Chelsea couldn’t get much better.
Fans are still basking in the Club World Cup triumph, while the board continue to make moves in the transfer market.
There is still just under a month until the window slams shut and the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Jorrel Hato are already through the door.
On top of that, the Blues appear to be closing in on Alejandro Garnacho, and if reports are to be believed, they’re also keen on another international who’d be an even better addition.
Chelsea target better signing than Garnacho
Chelsea have been linked with Garnacho for some time now, with reports of their interest in the Argentine first popping up as far back as the winter window, before he had his public falling out with Ruben Amorim.
However, the links have only grown stronger this summer, and yesterday afternoon, it was reported that they’ve finally entered into talks with Manchester United over a possible move, with the player now wanting a move to Stamford Bridge or nothing.
However, the West Londoners aren’t stopping there either, as they’re now supposedly keen on another international, although this player would be a far more critical signing to make this summer.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are one of several teams interested in Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The report has revealed that, alongside the Blues, Manchester City and United are vying for the Paris Saint-Germain star, who is refusing to sign a new contract over a dispute on salary structure, with just a year remaining on his current one.
In good news for the three Premier League clubs, other reports have claimed that due to this stand-off, the Parisians would be willing to sell him for €30m, which is about £26m, and a price Chelsea can’t afford to miss, especially as he’d be an even better signing than Garnacho.
Why Donnarumma would be a better signing that Garnacho
Now, it’s important to say that, even though he’s not the most popular player, Garnacho is undeniably talented and would be a great addition to this Chelsea team.
|
Garnacho in 24/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
58 |
|
Minutes |
3568′ |
|
Goals |
11 |
|
Assists |
10 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.36 |
|
Minutes per Goal Involvements |
169.90′ |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|
After all, he was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances last season despite being just 21 years old and playing in a historically terrible United side.
However, while he would be a good addition to the West Londoners’ squad, he feels somewhat like a luxury one, as with players like Gittens, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, and more already in the squad, the team hasn’t exactly been crying out for another attacker.
In sharp contrast, fans have been asking, nay demanding, the club go out and sign a new goalkeeper for a long time now, as even if the board claims they have complete confidence in Robert Sanchez, we aren’t sure that’s an opinion shared by the supporters.
For example, while he did improve towards the end of last season, he has a tendency to make mistakes, and according to FBref, he made ten mistakes that led to an opponent’s shot in the league alone last season.
In contrast, the “world-class” Italian, as dubbed by Carlo Ancelotti, didn’t make a single mistake that led to a shot.
Moreover, when it comes to playing out from the back, it’s not even a competition between the pair, as the Spaniard completed just 69.7% of his passes, while the PSG star completed 87.3%.
On top of being more trustworthy in and out of possession, the 26-year-old international also has more experience playing and thriving in the most intense games.
For example, he held his nerve in the 2021 Euros final to deny England in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium, and then against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final last season he was utterly sensational over both legs.
Ultimately, Sanchez might not be as bad as some make out, but he’s not an elite goalkeeper either.
If Chelsea want to take that next step, they need a goalkeeper like Donnarumma, and therefore, they should be doing all they can to sign him.
