Eight keepers in contention for Chelsea spot in goal

Chelsea are on the road in the United States for the Soccer Champions Tour. Enzo Maresca is starting to get to know his players to sketch out a starting eleven for his first season in charge. On his goalkeeping roster, there were four names on the trip to North America. Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Eddie Beach and Lucas Bergstrom. Missing are Filip Jorgensen, who has already travelled, Djordje Petrovic, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Gabriel Slonina.

It is not clear why the Stamford Bridge management has opted for so many goalkeepers. In the last few hours, the international press has pointed to the name of Mike Penders as a potential future signing from Genk. A more concrete order emerges on a case-by-case basis, although without the certainty of knowing who would be the starter, the substitute and a second alternative.

Robert Sanchez (26 years old, contract until 2030)

Robert Sanchez is Chelsea's current first-choice goalkeeper. He was already a first-choice goalkeeper under Mauricio Pochettino and his status has not changed in the first few friendlies with Enzo Maresca at the helm. The club paid 28.7 million euros for him from Brighton & Hove Albion in August last year and has only found opposition in Djordje Petrovic. He should start the campaign as his manager's top choice in goal.

Filip Jorgensen (22 years, contract until 2029)

The 22-year-old Filip Jorgensen, who left 24.5 million euros in Villarreal's coffers this summer, suggests that perhaps the idea is that his role is secondary and prepares for a future departure of Sanchez. 

Djordje Petrovic (24 years old, contract until 2030)

A knee injury to Sanchez opened the door to a starting role for him last season, in which he made 31 appearances. During the two months or so that his teammate was unable to play, he proved that he possesses enough quality to fill his role or a similar one in another team. He cost 14 million euros to move him from the New England Revolution in August 2023, but he is the main target for a sale if Maresca does not consider alternating him with his counterparts. 

Kepa Arrizabalaga (29 years old, contract until 2025)

The most expensive goalkeeper in the history of football ran out of room at Chelsea and signed for Real Madrid on loan, figuring he would have no problem pushing aside Lunin, who ended up taking his place. The possibility of the Ukrainian leaving Madrid would open up scope for the Spaniard to return to his homeland with Los Blancos.

Marcus Bettinelli (32 years old, contract until 2026)

There have only been four seasons in Marcus Bettinelli's career in which he has been a first-team regular. He was in the National League with Dartford when he was 20, with Accrington Stanley in League Two when he was 21, with Fulham in the Championship when he was 22 and with Middlesbrough in the same league when he was 28. At 32, he would now willingly accept a back-up role he has taken on since July 2021, when he arrived as a free agent.

Eddie Beach (20 years, contract until 2025)

Eddie Beach is the main reason why so many goalkeepers appear in Chelsea's squad. He is attached to Chelsea U21s and was on loan at Gateshead, but Maresca gave him the green light to travel to North America to see him work at close quarters. The most logical scenario is for him to return to the youth team when the season starts or for the board to consider a loan with a renewal or a sale, given what is left on his contract. These days are key for his future.

Lucas Bergstrom (21 years, contract until 2025)

Chelsea sent Lucas Bergstrom out on loan to Swedish league side Brommapojkarna in February but, having only played five games, the Blues brought him back this summer for their North American tour. The Finn caught the eye of the club's scouts during the 2018-19 campaign when he arrived from Turun Palloseura, so his position is similar to Eddie Beach's: he must prove his worth to earn his continuity in the structure pending a possible new loan spell.

Gabriel Slonina (20 years, contract until 2028)

Gabriel Slonina is the eighth goalkeeper for Chelsea this season, the big forgotten man on the books. The Blues signed him for €9.1 million from Chicago Fire in January 2022 and, after eight appearances for the Under-21s, sent him on loan to KAS Eupen, from where he has since returned. These weeks, he is part of the U.S. Olympic team. That's why his situation is on hold, but he should be a more logical fit for the senior team than Eddie Beach and Lucas Bergstrom, both of whom have entered the equation as to why there are so many goalkeepers in the squad.