Chelsea First Team Squad Situation: Part I – Goalkeeper

As the transfer news goes on and we still have more than a month enjoying the rumours linking Chelsea with this player and that player, I’d like to remind you on our current first team squad situation. Last season, most of us thought that the areas we have to improve were forward and midfield. The lack of the-so-called-pivot players and also have no real threat upfront make us think that if we’re going to sign new players, we have to spend only in those positions. In fact, I disagree with that.
With the departure of goalkeeper duo Ross Turnbull and Hilario, and Thibaut Courtois looking to stay for another year at Atletico, it shows that Mourinho has something to do with GK position as backup plan or rotation for Petr Cech. As for defender, the long time servant Paulo Ferreira who was a fine backup should be considered to replace too. Much better if we can find an improvement to replace him rather than just benchwarmer.
So I’m going to write the situation in about  4 parts of 4 different positions. Whether it’s buying, selling, or looking to what we already have in youth team.   I’m going to divide my opinion into 3 sections: 1) Available players, whether from senior squad or from U-21, as long as I rate them good enough I’ll write them in this section. 2) Players linked, whether there’s a concrete deal or not, I will write the names if the rumours linking them to Chelsea are quite reliable. 3) Conclusion and expectation, simply conclude my opinion on what’s best for the club to take decision. So let’s start from the least interesting position: Goalkeeper.
1) Available Players
Petr Cech
One of the world’s best goalkeepers at the moment. The 6-times Czech Player of The Year winner is undisputed first choice goalkeeper at Chelsea for 7 years. He’s still 31 year old too, which for a goalkeeper he’s still have much time at the top of his performance.
Jamal Blackman
Jamal was good for Chelsea U-21 and establish himself as one of the better players among the youngsters. Still have much time to develop but he’s keen on staying as Cech’s backup. That means, he’s not wanting regular first-team football so we don’t have to sending him on loan. Nevertheless, his development as footballer would suffer as a result.
Sam Walker
Sammy, the 21 year old goalie will be in his last year of contract at Chelsea. His performance was so-so during his loan spell. With 7 cleansheets at Colchester United marked his top of his performance, it’s hard to see his future at Chelsea as he’s not nowhere near Cech’s level. But for a backup, he’s going to be decent addition before his contract ends.
Matej Delac
To those who play Football Manager 2011, Matej Delac is quite popular figure among Chelsea youngsters. But in real life, he’s not as good as the game described him. Only managed 17 appearances combined during his spell last season, he’s by no means had football experience. With that in mind, it’s more difficult for me to pick him among other aforementioned young goalkeepers; even for a backup. However, he has the tools to be a decent goalkeeper in the future. His failure to make first team appearance regularly probably caused by language-barrier at Portugal and his lack of experience compared to senior goalie at the club.
2) Players Linked
Jack Butland
Jack is talented, but not really special. He was close with a move to Chelsea before he decided to stay. Ability-wise, he would be a better backup compared to Blackman, Walker, or Delac. However, it’s difficult for me to see his future at Chelsea as he probably wouldn’t want to be backup. Unless the club willing to pay big bucks to him, which I don’t expect.
Asmir Begovic
Like Butland, his move to Chelsea was imminent but the deal was collapse due to failure in agreeing the transfer price. That time, Begovic was willing to move despite he knew that Cech was still in his prime and I see we still have chance in signing him. He’s now linked with a move to Liverpool if Pepe Reina leaves. Sign him with decent fee and we’ll have very good goalkeeper.
Julio Cesar
QPR is relegated and Julio Cesar loves Jose Mourinho. That could help us to sign him and I can say he’s the real deal for a short-term problem as we already have Courtois for the future. The fact that Thibaut Courtois was convinced by Jose Mourinho to come back to Stamford Bridge indicating there’s a possibility that Jose Mourinho have plan in using 2 top goalies in a single season. However, his wage is too high for a backup and if he wants to play for upcoming World Cup 2014, then he surely prefer a move to club which can offer him regular first team chance.
3) Conclusion and expectation:
We need backup goalkeeper despite Petr Cech is still that good. I don’t want to see any kind of Turnbull-esque when Cech injured. Also, I don’t see our young goalkeepers are ready yet to be the only choices for backup. That said, we have to sign one experienced goalkeeper and give the 3rd spot for youngster. The most ideal choice to me is signing Julio Cesar for a year and promote Blackman for 3rd choice spot like last season. Let Delac get used to English football somewhere else in U-21 or Championship team and Walker find a better experience before his permanent move next year. Petr Cech, Julio Cesar, and Jamal Blackman.