Chelsea ‘ramp up their interest in Aaron Ramsdale’ in the wake of Robert Sanchez’s injury… but Blues may have to fend off interest from Newcastle
Chelsea are preparing to increase their interest in Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the wake of Robert Sanchez's injury, according to reports.
The Blues number 1 was forced off with a knee injury during Chelsea's latest Premier League clash with Everton, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino hinted that the former Brighton goalkeeper would miss the entire festive period ahead of the side's match against Sheffield United on Saturday . .
“If you get injured and lose your number one goalkeeper so far, that's a player we're going to miss, but we have other players who are working hard to be ready when things like this happen,” Pochettino said on Friday. 'Of course very sad, because we are going to lose a player for a few weeks.'
In his place, Chelsea will promote untested former MLS goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and hope the 24-year-old rises to the occasion.
Last season's number 1, Kepa Arrizabalaga, is currently on loan at Real Madrid and questions have previously been raised about the thinness of the West London club's squad in this position.
Aaron Ramsdale is believed to be firmly on Chelsea's radar ahead of the January transfer window
The England international has spent much of Arsenal's season on the bench
The Blues have to deal with the loss of their number 1 goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for four weeks
But according to talkSPORTPochettino's side could look north to strengthen their ranks in a move to Ramsdale in January.
Mail Sport previously reported that Chelsea had appointed the England international in October, but Pochettino is said to be increasingly willing to sign players with Premier League experience after a lackluster start to the season.
At the Emirates, Ramsdale has almost permanently lost his place to the summer signing of David Raya.
While Mikel Arteta announced his contract with Brentford with a public statement saying he would consider swapping the two goalkeepers, Arteta has since heavily favored his Spanish compatriot.
Ramsdale was handed his first Champions League start in Arsenal's dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, but has made just five Premier League starts since the start of the club's season.
Djordje Petrovic had his first Premier League minutes in Chelsea's defeat to Everton
Ramsdale are competing for his place with new signing David Raya, with the Spain international often a firm favourite
Ramsdale's last Premier League start was against Brentford at the end of November
Should Ramsdale leave the club, Arsenal would have 21-year-old Estonian Karl Hein in reserve
The majority of this came at the start of the season, although Ramsdale were called up to face Raya's former club Brentford in their 1–0 win in November.
Chelsea could face competition in the race for the signature of Ramsdale from Newcastle, who are also experiencing a goalkeeping crisis.
Following an injury to Nick Pope which will keep the goalkeeper out of action for up to four months, Eddie Howe is expected to scour the market to guarantee depth in the position for the second half of the season – with former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea . thought he was on his shortlist.
However, despite growing interest from Premier League rivals, Arsenal may be reluctant to sell Ramsdale, with former youth star Karl Hein the only backup option should Raya become unavailable.
