Chelsea's Pre Season Review - Goalkeepers

FC Bayern Muenchen v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League Final

Goalkeepers

After what has already been an extremely exciting transfer window so far, Chelsea have been involved in a couple of big deals already and a few more are in the pipeline. Yet, despite all this activity what will be carried on from last season are the Goalkeepers.

1. Petr Cech

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 19: Petr Cech of Chelsea saves a penalty from Ivica Olic of FC Bayern Muenchen in the shoot out past during UEFA Champions League Final between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea at the Fussball Arena München on May 19, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

After having a not-so-very impressive first half of the season, the new Year really brought some good old fashioned no-nonsense Petr Cech magic. Strong reflexes, acrobatic saves and a number of impressive performances really emphasized the point as to why he is Chelsea’s current no.1 goalkeeper.

Cech appeared to have been faltering under Villas Boas’ reign and a dubious statement by Chelsea owned Atletico Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois made it sound like Cech would hang up his boots. Yet Cech has prevailed and was a critical factor which helped to deliver an unprecedented FA Cup, Champions League Double.

With Courtois returning to Atletico Madrid for another year on loan and young exciting youth keeper Rhys Taylor released there seems to be a non-existent competition for Cech.

Expected Forecast:

Premier league appearances: ~35

Champions League (considering only Group Stage): ~4

FA Cup and League Cup: Later stages only.

Club World Cup: ~1

2. Ross Turnbull

Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Ross Turnbull of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on May 8, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

An ever present feature on the Chelsea bench, the only competition he has is with Hilario for that spot on the bench. Last year his only achievement was being promoted to the No.2 spot for majority of the season. A player who has made only 4 premier league appearances since joining the club in 2009 and a handful of Cup appearances, there seems to be no future at Chelsea for Turnbull. Yet he has been persisted with. The logical option would be to sell him or send him out on loan, given that he is not exactly Premier league material. Or just to liven things up a bit he could be given a chance against weaker teams like Reading, Southampton, Wigan etc.

Expected Forecast:

Premier League Appearances: 1 or 2

Other Competitions : ~3

3.Henrique Hilario

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Shane Long #9 of West Brom scores the opening goal past goalkeeper Henrique Hilario of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 20, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Not that I’m being rude or anything, but the fact that Hilario keeps getting one year extensions continues to bewilder and puzzle me. He was a decent understudy to Cudicini and Cech when he arrived in 2006. He has made 20 premier league appearances since then and about 20 other Cup appearances. Like his fellow keeper Turnbull, Hilario too has not played a single game this year (2012) in any competition for Chelsea and Cech’s spectacular form doesn’t seem to inspire hope for any more games either. Apart from a few pre-season friendlies or a couple of league cup games, I don’t see Hilario getting any more games this season too. I’d reckon this is probably his last year in a Chelsea shirt.

Expected Forecast:

Total Games : 0

Upcoming Youngsters

Sam Walker and Matej Delac

Sam walker the 6ft 6in giant shot-stopper is probably the brightest academy prospect at the Bridge. An integral member of the 2009 FA youth Cup winning team, Walker has considerable lower league experience a Barnet, Northampton and Yeovil Town.

Matej Delac, the Croatian Goalie is another exciting youth prospect. Having been signed from Inter Zapresic in 2010 he has made few appearances but his skill saw him being promoted to third choice keeper for the Croatian national side at the 2010 world cup qualifiers against Belarus and England. He is yet to appear for his national side.

A couple of senior team appearances would definitely do their confidence and skills a world of good.

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Edited by Staff Editor
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