According to a recent report by The Daily Mail, Chelsea will be joined by Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to secure the signature of Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson, who is currently playing on loan at Sheffield United. The same source has also mentioned that the Blues have doubts over their first-choice goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga and want a new challenger who can provide more competition for the Spaniard in between the sticks.
What Makes Henderson An Ideal Goalkeeping Option For Chelsea?
Frank Lampard had decided to drop Arrizabalaga in the last two matches with Willy Caballero getting the nod to start in his goal. However, the Argentine goalie shipped in three goals upon his return which raises the question of whether Lampard should revert to Arrizabalaga against Manchester United when the Premier League commences after the mid-season break.
In contrast, Henderson is having a sensational campaign and is currently one of the standout performers in Chris Wilder’s first-team. The Yorkshire outfit are sitting just two points behind Chelsea in the league table, having played a game more. The English talent has played an integral role in his team’s recent success under Wilder’s stewardship.
Henderson has allowed 22 goals in 26 matches for the Blades this season and has also earned nine clean sheets in the process. The 22-year-old has gradually improved his overall game over the past couple of years and is currently amongst the best keepers in English football. He has also made an average of 0.8 clearances per 90 minutes which goes to highlight his qualities as a modern-day ‘sweeper-keeper’ (stats via whoscored).
What Will The In-Form Premier League Goalie Bring To The English Capital?
Henderson is a commanding presence inside his own box as he is quite aggressive in the way he attacks the ball when put under pressure by the opposition. He also boasts quick reflexes which allow him to pull off some world-class saves at the back. However, Wilder’s tactics have often resulted in Henderson going long with his passes which explains why he only made 34.3% of his attempted passes in the Premier League this term (stats via whoscored).
The English shot-stopper will bring some calmness and reliability to West London if Lampard can find a way to win the race for his signature. Arrizabalaga can be a bit erratic at times and has been guilty of making some sloppy errors which have led to Chelsea conceding some cheap goals so far in this campaign. Caballero is also past his prime and doesn’t seem like he can be a long-term answer to their goalkeeping problems.
Therefore, Lampard should consider going all out in pursuit of the on-loan Sheffield keeper at the end of this campaign as he has what it takes to be the number one keeper at Stamford Bridge for years to come. Henderson’s desire to play long balls will also get the best out of Tammy Abraham, who could get more opportunities to win some aerial duels and make some penetrative runs in behind the opposition backline.
