Mauricio Pochettino could recruit Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to his ranks at Chelsea after it was reported the London club sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old.
Part of the Blues' woes throughout last campaign were caused by the goalkeeping position. First, Edouard Mendy failed to live up to the standards he had set during his previous two seasons with the club before picking up an injury which forced Kepa Arrizabalaga back into the fold.
Mendy was handed an opportunity to re-establish himself by Frank Lampard late in the campaign against Nottingham Forest with his first start since the World Cup, though squandered it by rushing out to miss a cross, allowing Taiwo Awoniyi to head in the opener.
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Accompanied with the fact the Senegal international managed only one clean sheet in 14 league matches last campaign, it does little to suggest he could hold down the no.1 spot moving forwards.
Therefore Pochettino could be in the market for a new goalkeeper, and young Georgian international Mamardashvili has emerged as the prime candidate to fill the potentially vacant position at Stamford Bridge.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea recently sent scouts to get a closer look at the the goalkeeper's potential with an eye to a summer move.
Although Mamardashvili's contract runs through to 2027 and Los Che aren't looking to lose their prized shot stopper, a lowly bottom half finish for Valencia points to signs that a lot of work has to be done in order to be back challenging for European football again, and a cash injection may be required to complete such a task.
To add even more fuel to the flames, the Italian transfer guru also reported that the player's agent, Levan Seturidze, visited the English capital at the start of April to meet representatives of English clubs ahead of the transfer window. He was even present at the Bridge for Chelsea's goalless draw with Liverpool.
At the time, Leicester City were said to be leading the race, though any chance of them signing the La Liga talent may have gone out of the window with their recent relegation from the top-flight. Romano also stated back in April that Tottenham were potential suitors along with Chelsea.
If Chelsea's scouting mission has indeed been a successful one, then Pochettino may have to act quickly in order to stave off competition from his former employers.
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