Chelsea are looking to bolster their goalkeeping section as they have reportedly targeted Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli as on option. The Blues recently paved the way for Asmir Begovic to join Bournemouth on a permanent deal from the Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte wants to add a significant back up to Thibaut Courtois before next season.
Bettinelli joined the Cottagers in 2011 and came through their academy before establishing him in the senior squad. The 25-year-old hasn’t featured much this season but played an important role on their way to the Championship playoffs. He was in the Fulham goal in the last six matches but couldn’t help his team much as they lost to Reading in the playoffs.
Begovic hasn’t had many chances this season and thus choose to move to the south coast where he is guaranteed enough game time. And the same goes for Bettinelli too. He is expected to lead the team from the back and a move to the West London would hurt his game time immensely. He earlier also had rejected a move to Chelsea as the idea of playing second fiddle to Courtois didn’t seem ideal to him.
He had a couple of loan stints at various clubs with the likes of Dartford but since 2014 he has been with the club. The 6’4 keeper could be the ideal replacement of Begovic and also Chelsea will have to shell peanuts to lure him to the club.
Moving to Chelsea will significantly reduce his first-team opportunities but to experience the atmosphere of Premier League, he has to take his chances. He will also earn higher wages than his Fulham days which could be one of the reasons.
The fact that Courtois has the knack of getting injured might open a door of whole new possibilities for the keeper. He is also slated to take the field in the Cup matches and can also have the taste of Champions League should Courtois remain unfit.
He will also strengthen Chelsea’s home grown contingent which the club have been trying for the last couple of seasons.
David Button has struggled for Fulham at times and Bettinelli might be handed the chance to jump to the first team. However being a backup goalkeeper in Chelsea may be seen as a limited responsibility but the chance to play at Stamford Bridge can be a drastic step up in his career.
