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“You Can’t Have Nine Goalkeepers and Not Know Your Number One” – Cole Criticizes Chelsea
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has criticized the club’s goalkeeper transfer strategy, calling it fundamentally flawed.
Speaking on the Dressing Room podcast, Cole questioned how a club could have as many as nine goalkeepers and still struggle to identify a clear first-choice.
“There’s something systematically wrong because you can’t have nine goalkeepers on your books and not know which one is your number one,” he said.
Chelsea currently have four goalkeepers in their first-team squad: Robert Sanchez (27), Flip Jorgensen (22), Lucas Bergstrom (22), and Marcus Bettinelli (32). Meanwhile, Djordje Petrovic (25) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (30) are out on loan, and Genk’s Mike Penders (19) is set to join in 2025.
Cole believes the club’s recruitment policy for goalkeepers has been mismanaged. “If your system works well, you shouldn’t make as many mistakes that have been made with goalkeepers,” he added.
Chelsea player Enzo Fernández is in discussions to join Manchester City. This information was revealed by Fabrizio Romano, who shared that the two clubs are discussing a potential deal.
He wrote: “Enzo Fernández has a verbal agreement with Manchester City on personal terms.
“Deal depends on club-to-club decision, as #MCFC have not sent an official bid yet, but contacts will take place soon; decision on price is up to Chelsea.
“Enzo could be out again this weekend.”
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca mentions his captains for the team. He mentions Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland.
He shared “We have experienced players. For sure, we have leaders. Now we need to wait four or five more days until the transfer window closes to see if we can add one or two more captains to Ruben [Dias] and Erling , who at the moment are the two captains.”
Maresca confirmed the pair as part of his leadership group ahead of the 2026/27 season, with two more captains expected to be selected after the transfer window closes.
Chelsea manager speaks on the team and shares thoughts on considering a change in goalkeepers, giving another goalkeeper, Mike Penders, a chance.
“Penders is part of the squad, so he has an opportunity. We will decide and then I am giving the team tomorrow to the players, so I prefer to respect that they know first.”
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Enzo Fernández Moves Closer to Manchester City Transfer
