MX23RW : Tuesday, January 28 03:46:41| >> :120:16505:16505:

Chelsea 'keeping tabs on Giorgi Mamardashvili, Unai Simon'

Chelsea 'keeping tabs on Mamardashvili, Simon'
© Reuters
Chelsea reportedly send scouts to watch Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper Unai Simon.

Chelsea have reportedly identified Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili and Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon as two goalkeeping targets.

The Blues overhauled their goalkeeping department in the summer, allowing Edouard Mendy to complete a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, before Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal.

While Mendy and Arrizabalaga headed through the exit door, Chelsea brought in Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic from Brighton & Hove Albion and New England Revolution respectively.

Sanchez was seemingly recruited as a backup goalkeeper, before an injury to Thibaut Courtois forced Real Madrid to swoop in for Arrizabalaga.

As a result, Sanchez has been handed the number one spot, keeping four clean sheets in Chelsea's 12 competitive matches this season.

Georgia's Giorgi Mamardashvili reacts with Guram Kashia and Giorgi Gocholeishvili on March 28, 2023© Reuters

While the 25-year-old is currently trusted by Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues are open to bringing in a new first-choice goalkeeper.

According to 90min, Chelsea are keeping tabs on the progress of Mamardashvili and his fellow La Liga goalkeeper Simon.

The report claims that Chelsea scouts were in attendance at San Mames on Sunday to watch Mamardashvili's Valencia face off against Simon's Athletic Bilbao.

Both goalkeepers conceded two goals each, as Athletic equalised in stoppage time to ensure that the contest finished as a 2-2 draw.

Spain's Unai Simon celebrates after winning the penalty shootout and the UEFA Nations League final on June 18, 2023© Reuters

While Mamardashivili is believed to be at the top of Chelsea's shortlist, they continue to monitor Spain's first-choice goalkeeper Simon.

The Athletic shot-stopper, who has made a total of 170 appearances for the Basque club, has kept five clean sheets in 11 league games this season, helping Ernesto Valverde's side pick up 18 points to leave them in sixth position.

Mamardashivili is also the number one shot-stopper for his national side, Georgia, and he has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga.

Since joining Valencia from Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2021, Mamardashivili has gone on to record 21 clean sheets in 74 matches.

Although Chelsea continue to track potential targets, they are unlikely to move for a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer window, with other areas of the pitch set to take priority.

ID:527895:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5247:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Unai Simon

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Kepa Arrizabalaga in action on August 25, 2023
Read Next:
Real Madrid 'set limit over Kepa Arrizabalaga fee'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!