All Chelsea's Options to Replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in Goal - Ranked
By Tom Gott
We've all known for a while now that Kepa Arrizabalaga is in a spot of bother at Stamford Bridge.
After an infamously disastrous season, the goalkeeper ended the year on the bench and may have even played his final game for Chelsea, who have been linked with a whole host of potential replacements for Arrizabalaga.
Let's see who they should be going for from all the names linked in recent weeks...
14. Joe Hart
Links to Joe Hart were scary, and the fact that he has now joined Tottenham as a third-choice goalkeeper tells you everything you need to know about this one.
Should Chelsea move for him? Nope.
Could it actually happen? Thankfully, no.
13. Fraser Forster
Now back from a loan with Celtic, Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is likely to seal a move away from St Mary's Stadium this summer, but Chelsea shouldn't care one bit.
Should Chelsea move for him? Absolutely not.
Could it actually happen? Not a chance.
12. Dean Henderson
Signing Dean Henderson would have been great. He's young and comes with a year of impressive Premier League experience.
But then he signed a new contract with Manchester United.
Next.
Should Chelsea move for him? It would have been nice.
Could it actually happen? Absolutely not.
11. Pau López
Roma's replacement for Alisson after the Brazilian's move to Liverpool, Pau López has found his name linked with Chelsea in the last few months... for some reason.
López, who spent a season on loan with Spurs in 2016/17, has endured a tough time in Spain. He's by no means a bad goalkeeper, but he kept just five Serie A clean sheets last year. Arrizabalaga kept eight in the league.
He's not an upgrade, he's just a cheaper option.
Should Chelsea move for him? No thanks.
Could it actually happen? If Plans A through Y fail.
10. Juan Musso
In what was a weak Udinese side, Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Musso impressed last season, but that doesn't mean he's Chelsea's man.
While some reports have valued Musso at closer to €30m, others have gone as far as to suggest he could command something similar to the £72m Chelsea paid for Kepa. If it's anything like the latter, Musso needs to be avoided.
Should Chelsea move for him? Probably not.
Could it actually happen? Probably not.
9. Uğurcan Çakır
Trabzonspor goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır has been in the headlines all year about a possible move to the Premier League, with a role as Liverpool's number two often touted in the gossip columns.
However, seemingly out of nowhere, reports from Turkey emerged suggesting Chelsea had already reached an agreement to sign Çakır, and while that has since proven to be false, the links to the 24-year-old remain.
There are worse options than Çakır out there, but given he is yet to prove himself in a top league, Chelsea should give this one a miss.
Should Chelsea move for him? Maybe in a few years.
Could it actually happen? It's unlikely.
8. Ben Foster
Signing Ben Foster would be the ultimate short-term option, but truthfully, the Blues could do a whole lot worse than move for the Watford man.
Now 37 years old, Foster comes with 14 years and 364 appearances-worth of experience in the English top flight, and during that time, he has proven himself as a reliable goalkeeper. At the end of the day, that's all Chelsea need.
He shouldn't be the first choice, but as we've seen by the move to sign Thiago Silva, planning for the short term isn't always a bad idea.
Should Chelsea move for him? If they get desperate.
Could it actually happen? This one has 'deadline day panic' written all over it.
7. Edouard Mendy
Outside of France and his native Senegal, Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was a relative unknown just a few weeks ago, but then links to Chelsea emerged.
The towering 28-year-old is highly rated by Petr Čech and well respected goalkeeper scout Christophe Lollichon, and it's not hard to see why. He deals with shots well and knows how to use his 6'6 frame to command his area - something Chelsea desperately need.
Despite his age, Mendy only comes with two years of top-flight experience in Ligue 1, and it feels like a little bit too much of a gamble.
Should Chelsea move for him? For the right price.
Could it actually happen? If Čech and Lollichon push hard enough.
6. Marc-André ter Stegen
Right, obviously Marc-André ter Stegen should be right at the top of this list. He's one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but the problem is he comes with a price tag to reflect that.
Named as one of Barça's 'untouchables' this summer, the German comes with a £160m release clause and might even see that figure rise if he pens a new deal.
It's worth throwing out an offer and seeing if Ter Stegen does a Messi, but it'll probably just be a waste of time.
Should Chelsea move for him? Maybe in FIFA Career Mode.
Could it actually happen? Even Roman Abramovich's pockets aren't that deep.
5. Nick Pope
The links to Nick Pope are weird. On the surface, they seem completely underwhelming, but then you only have to look at the numbers to see why Chelsea are keen.
After an outstanding 2017/18 season, Pope missed a whole year with a devastating shoulder injury, before coming back in 2019/20 and performing even better than he had before.
Sure, there's not a lot of glitz and glamour with this signing, but Chelsea can't be picky. If they want a reliable, Premier League-proven goalkeeper, Pope's the man.
Should Chelsea move for him? He's everything they need.
Will it actually happen? If Burnley play ball.
4. Jan Oblak
Like Ter Stegen, the only reason Jan Oblak isn't higher on this list is his £107m release clause.
Unlike Ter Stegen, this one feels slightly more attainable.
A couple of decent player sales (I'm looking at you, Jorginho and Michy Batshuayi) and Chelsea could have a large chunk of that fee ready to spend, and if Oblak can be tempted into the move, Atlético Madrid might lower their demands.
Should Chelsea move for him? It's a long shot, but it's one worth trying.
Will it actually happen? We can but dream.
3. Mike Maignan
Long seen as the future of the French national team once Hugo Lloris throws in the towel, Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan has been justifying that hype over the past few years.
His form has helped Lille go from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls in just a few seasons, and given he has only recently turned 25, Maignan looks set to have a bright future.
Lille are always prepared to sell at the right price, which in this case is thought to be around £27m. Chelsea cannot afford to ignore that.
Should Chelsea move for him? If the top-tier targets aren't available.
Will it actually happen? All the signs suggest it could
2. André Onana
Since it first emerged that Arrizabalaga was under pressure at the Bridge, Ajax's André Onana has been near the top of the wish list.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed an astonishing few years with Ajax, leading De Godenzonen to the Champions League semi-final and lifting the Eredivisie title in 2018/19, and it is widely accepted that he's ready for the next step.
Having impressed in high-profile meetings with Real Madrid, Juventus and even Chelsea themselves, Onana's quality is clear to see, and he's another of those who is thought to be available for around £35m.
Should Chelsea move for him? It's surprising they haven't already.
Will it actually happen? Surely.
1. Gianluigi Donnarumma
In every sense possible, AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma is Chelsea's perfect goalkeeper.
The 21-year-old is huge and deceptively agile, and he comes with 203 appearances for Milan already in his career. And to make him even more appealing, he has just one year left on his contract.
Donnarumma is an affordable, top-tier option who would fit in seamlessly with Chelsea's young core. It almost makes too much sense.
Should Chelsea move for him? Without hesitation.
Will it actually happen? If Mino Raiola wakes up on the right side of the bed.