Chelsea eye goalkeeper deal with Atletico de Madrid set to take Thibaut Courtois on loan again next season.
One of the first tasks for incoming Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be to attempt to sign a backup goalkeeper for Petr Cech, according to the Metro.
The West London club will release Hilario and Ross Turnbull this summer, and Thibaut Courtois has again indicated a preference to go out on loan to Atletico de Madrid.
That will leave Petr Cech as the only senior custodian at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues could call upon youngster Jamal Blackman – who has a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League medal despite not yet having made a senior competitive appearance for the club – but it may still be considered too soon for the 19 year-old to be so close to a first team place.
A single season deal for an experienced shot stopper would make a lot of sense for Chelsea, with the main requirement that the player is happy as a backup but equally ready to be thrown into the first team when needed.
The last quality reserve Chelsea had was Carlo Cudicini, and Hilario and Turnbull have not proved up to scratch in comparison to the Italian veteran, now at LA Galaxy in the MLS.
Given the superior quality goalkeepers on the bench at the Blues’ rivals, Chelsea will need to make a new shot stopper a top priority from July 1st.
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