Graeme Souness has backed Chelsea to make a summer move for David de Gea, amid the Spaniard’s struggles at Manchester United.
As quoted by The Sun, Graeme Souness has, while appearing as a panelist on Sky Sports, tipped Chelsea to launch the offensive for David de Gea in the summer transfer window. The former Liverpool manager also reckons Dean Henderson could usurp de Gea at Old Trafford, once he returns from his loan spell at Sheffield United.
For years, David de Gea had been goalkeeping extraordinaire for Manchester United, winning games on his own. In fact, the Spaniard has arguably been the Red Devils’ best player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. However, in the last couple of seasons, there has been a dramatic fall in his levels.
Since the start of last season, no goalkeeper has made more errors leading to a goal in the Premier League than de Gea (7), with the latest costing Manchester United a chance to beat Everton this past weekend. At international level, de Gea has also lost his place to Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The latest error has piled the pressure on de Gea and Graeme Souness is of the opinion that Chelsea could make a big-money move for the 29-year-old in the summer transfer window. Souness also added that Dean Henderson could be ahead of de Gea once he returns to Manchester United from Sheffield United.
“I’m a big fan of Dean Henderson who is impressing at Sheffield United. I remember he made a mistake against Liverpool earlier in the season and his manager wasn’t kind to him but he appears to have learnt from that. He appears to have a big personality. De Gea I would imagine would be one of the best-paid players at United.”
“Could you have him sitting on the bench on whatever he’s earning and not causing problems? Would there be takers for him? You look at the situation at Chelsea and they might make a nibble for him. It’s a big decision for Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] to make and that’s what he’s paid for. It’s a big, big call.”
At Chelsea, the goalkeeping situation has been quite unpredictable since the departure of Thibaut Courtois nearly two years ago. Kepa Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he joined the Blues from Athletic Bilbao, but has not always delivered.
In fact, the Spanish international recently lost his place as the first-choice goalkeeper to Willy Caballero, only returning this week in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round. As a result, there have been suggestions that Kepa could be on his way back to Spain, with Athletic Bilbao reportedly keeping tabs on their former players.
Should Chelsea cash-in on Kepa, they will need a replacement. However, it will be interesting to see if Manchester United allow de Gea to join their direct rivals, if the Blues indeed make a move. Despite his inconsistencies, de Gea remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and it will be interesting to see if Souness’s comments come true this summer.
