Chelsea look set to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy in the summer, with Todd Boehly eager to bolster the club's options between the sticks. Whenever one is given a run of games, the other is heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge – and, with the duo prone to mistakes, the Blues are embroiled in a vicious cycle.
But, the west Londoners appear ready to bring an end to the rotation by signing an outright No.1 in the summer. According to German outlet Bild, Chelsea have shortlisted Gregor Kobel as an 'above-average' candidate to replace Kepa and Mendy.
However, the report states that the 25-year-old 'feels at home' at Borussia Dortmund, where he has a contract until June 2026. Kobel, who is valued at £35.3million by CIES Observatory, has featured 21 times in the Bundesliga this term, registering eight clean sheets.
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The Switzerland international's impressive performances have been key to Dortmund's success this season as they look to finally end Bayern Munich's dominance in the Bundesliga. Kobel also played an important role in BVB's Champions League campaign this season, steering the club into the round of 16 before Chelsea stood in their way.
He made a good account for himself, helping Dortmund secure a 1-0 win over the Blues in the first-leg. But, then at Stamford Bridge, he was dropped to the bench and Chelsea waltzed away 2-0 victors.
With Todd Boehly yet to reap the fruits of his eye-watering investments, Gary Neville believes that Chelsea are just two signings away from challenging again at the highest level again – one of which being a new shot-stopper. Speaking on The Overlap, the former Manchester United defender said: "Obviously they’re short. They’re short of a manager, they’re short of a centre-forward. I think the goalkeeper could be better.
"But I just thought when I was watching them [against Liverpool], Wesley Fofana the centre-back I thought was fantastic, they’ve got Benoit Badiashile on the bench, Kalidou Koulibaly is obviously a half-decent defender and the two full-backs have got the ability – if they stay fit – to be the best in Ben Chilwell and Reece James.
"I thought the midfield three of Enzo Fernandez, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, behind Manchester City’s of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, probably the best midfield as a three I’ve seen all season. They were fantastic as a three.
"And then you’ve got Joao Felix and Kai Havertz – now if you put a centre-forward in there… They had Mason Mount on the bench, they had Raheem Sterling on the bench, they had loads of others on the bench. Thiago Silva to come back. I thought, if you put a proper manager there and you get a couple of decent signings, are they nearer than maybe Manchester United are."
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