Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Celtic
According to Sky Sports, Conte is keen on signing the Scotland international in order to replace Asmir Begovic, who has been linked with a move to Bournemouth. Antonio Conte confirmed that Chelsea were considering an offer for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, but also stressed that they were looking for a solution that suited all parties.
However, it was also reported that Chelsea were putting any moves for Begovic on hold as they looked for replacements and it appears that Craig Gordon has been singled out as that man. However, his manager Brendan Rodgers hopes Gordon stays at Celtic and says that playing is more important to the goalkeeper than money.
“I am not surprised [at the interest from Chelsea]. His contract is up at the end of the season but there is an option for the club,” he said, according to Sky Sports “It is a difficult decision for a player, especially if you are getting financial rewards at the end of it.”
“But after one year it is about playing. Craig has had that trauma of a couple of years out, not playing. And, from my experience, he loves playing football. He maybe thought his career was done but he is 34, as fit as he has ever been and playing at the best level he has done, according to him.”
The former Sunderland goalkeeper spent two years out of the game after being released by the Wearsiders in 2012 after suffering serious knee problems. Gordon even admitted that he was unsure he would ever play football again at the time, but things have fortunately worked out for the Scotsman.
Gordon eventually joined Celtic in 2014 and once Fraser Forster was sold to Southampton, he managed to claim the spot of first-choice goalkeeper. After thinking he would not play again, he has now made 136 appearances for the Scottish side.
Should Begovic leave Chelsea, they will only have Portugese goalkeeper Eduardo as back-up for Thibaut Courtois. The former Dinamo Zagreb keeper has not made a single appearance for Chelsea thus far and Antonio Conte will definitely be looking out for a more reliable option.
Gordon would definitely be an astute signing as he has performed impressively for Celtic over the last three years. Despite Rodgers’ claims that the 34-year old wants to stay, Celtic could be persuaded to sell him with the right fee given that he is out of contract in the summer.
