Graeme Souness has advised Chelsea to sign Jan Oblak as a replacement for the under-fire Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer transfer window.
As quoted by The Sun, Graeme Souness has opined, during his stint at Irish television channel RTE, that Chelsea should make a move for Jan Oblak. The Blues have been touted to enter the transfer market for a goalkeeper to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer transfer window.
Jan Oblak has grown into becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world since joining Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2014. One of the first names on the team sheet in Diego Simeone’s side, the Slovenian has played a key role in establishing Los Rojiblancos as possibly the most defensively astute outfits in Europe.
Season after season, Oblak has been in the upper echelons for clean sheets in the top five European leagues and in 245 outings for Atletico Madrid, he has kept a mind boggling 133 clean sheets. His exploits have seen the 27-year-old piquing the interest of several top clubs. And now, Chelsea have been urged to prise Oblak away from the La Liga giants.
While appearing as a pundit on Irish television studio RTE (h/t The Sun), Graeme Souness remarked that Chelsea should make a move for Oblak in the summer. Souness said, “Do we know how old he is? 27? There you go Chelsea. Chelsea are looking for a goalkeeper. He’s been a top man for a long time.”
Chelsea have been reported to be in the market for a goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window owing to the struggles of Kepa Arrizabalaga this season. The Spanish international was relegated to the bench by Frank Lampard after a series of underwhelming performances and has only recently reclaimed his place in the side.
In the meantime, speculation around his future at Chelsea has only grown like wildfire. Former club Athletic Bilbao were the first ones to be linked with a possible move for Kepa, while fellow La Liga club Real Madrid, too, have been named as possible suitors, with those reports claiming that Chelsea are happy to cash in on the player.
For their part, Chelsea have been linked with possible replacements as well, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen being a prospective candidate to replace Kepa. Oblak also fits in such a mould, although it remains to be seen if the Blues turn their attention towards the Slovenian.
For now, Kepa Arrizabalaga will be intent to continue winning Frank Lampard over following back-to-back impressive displays in goal last week. If Chelsea do look to offload him, though, it will be interesting to see if Souness’s suggestion to make a move for Oblak is heeded.
