Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm has exclusively told Sports Mole that while Caoimhin Kelleher is an excellent shot stopper, he would be faced with increased pressure at Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca defended the performances of first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was arguably at fault for Erling Haaland's goal on Sunday, as Manchester City won 3-1 against the Blues.
Sanchez was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £25m, but he has at times struggled with his decision-making.
Speaking to Sports Mole about the possibility that Chelsea might swoop for someone like Kelleher, Vorm heaped praise on the Irishman but questioned if he could deal with the expectations at Stamford Bridge, saying: "[Kelleher] showed that he's a very talented goalkeeper. He's done so well. But people also need to understand if you make a transfer to Chelsea, they pay a lot of money and you're becoming the number one - it's a different pressure.
"Everyone knows he's a good goalkeeper, but if you're coming in a new club with different players, a different style of play and you're becoming the number one, it brings a lot of pressure in a different environment. So, it's very hard to say [if he would do well]."
Kelleher has been Liverpool's second-choice goalkeeper for a number of years and though he impressed earlier this season when he filled in for Alisson Becker, he has only started eight times in the Premier League in 2024-25.
Kelleher's experience at Liverpool
Kelleher's figure of eight starts in the league is just two shy of his career high of 10 starts in the top flight in 2023-24, though Liverpool are unbeaten with him in goal this term, winning 12 and drawing two in all competitions.
The 26-year-old is excellent with the ball on either foot, boasts a strong penalty shootout record and is able to make point-blank saves thanks to his good reflexes.
Vorm spoke of his belief that Chelsea will act in the upcoming transfer market and argued that Kelleher's Premier League experience could be important when the Blues consider targets, telling Sports Mole: "He showed in the Premier League already that he's a very good goalkeeper, so if he leaves, he will make a very good transfer.
"I think that definitely something is going to happen in goalkeeper land in general, so we will see what's going to happen. It's an interesting one, but Chelsea love to spend."
Kelleher's contract at Anfield expires in the summer of 2026, and the Irishman could represent a relatively opportunistic signing given Liverpool will likely look to sell him while they still can, especially as goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to join the Reds this summer.
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Do Chelsea already have internal solutions?
Chelsea have spent over £1bn in the transfer market since Todd Boehly arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2022, including significant sums on goalkeepers Gabriel Slonina, Dorde Petrovic, Filip Jorgensen and Sanchez.
The Blues also loaned out Kepa Arrizabalaga to Bournemouth this season, and Maresca is certainly not short of options should he look to internally replace Sanchez in the summer.
Vorm told Sports Mole that there is every chance that one of those goalkeepers could impress and cement their claim on the starting spot, and even expressed his view that Sanchez could himself improve, saying: "Chelsea signed already quite a lot of goalkeepers [that] are still on contract - also some young goalkeepers [that] they paid a lot of money for.
"It's interesting to see what's going to happen because even Kepa is still on the contract and he's doing well at Bournemouth at the moment. I think also this is something for a goalkeeper like Sanchez - if he plays well till the end of the season, who knows?"
Chelsea have started Jorgensen in goal in all six of their Conference League fixtures, so perhaps the competition could help Maresca decide if the Blues' long-term goalkeeper is already at the club.
Michel Vorm was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of 888sport.
Lewis Nolan
