Barcelona superstar Marc-Andre ter Stegen has reportedly agreed to sign a contract extension putting an end to rumours linking him to Chelsea.
According a report published by SPORT and relayed by The Sun, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is reportedly set to extend his contract with Barcelona putting the Chelsea rumours to bed.
ter Stegen arrived in Spain in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach as one of the top prospects in his position and has most definitely lived upto his tag.
The 28-year-old was initially brought in as the first-choice, but did not become the starting goalkeeper in the La Liga until 2016/17. However, his performances in the 2014/15 Champions League knock-out stages helped Barcelona lift their 5th title.
Over the last three seasons, ter Stegen has improved leaps and bounds, especially in terms of his shot stopping abilities. He’s kept 43 clean sheets in 98 appearances since the start of 2017/18.
Furthermore, the German has exceptional ball playing abilities and his two assists this season are proof of the same.
ter Stegen has been on Chelsea’s radar as a potential replacement to Kepa Arrizabalaga who has been been rather underwhelming this season.
Kepa has the lowest save percentage this season in the Premiere League – 53.5% of all shots he has faced. If you think that is bad, Chelsea have conceded from 16% of shots faced in the Premier League this season. This is the highest number the competition has witnessed since the dawn of data collection in 2003/04.
16% – Chelsea have conceded goals from 16% of shots faced this season in the Premier League; no side have conceded a higher proportion in the competition during single season since detailed shot data was collected for the first time in 2003-04. Blue. pic.twitter.com/qT7R21Ptyb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 22, 2020
ter Stegen would’ve been a huge upgrade for Chelsea, but a move would cost a fortune. Barcelona wouldn’t have let the 28-year-old leave for any lower than his €180 million release clause.
Frank Lampard has also identified Ajax’s Andre Onana as the man who can take over the reigns from Kepa, and this move can be fast-tracked with the help of Hakim Ziyech who has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.
There might not be a lot of options for Lampard to turn his head to, but with the transfer window ready to open in less than a month, the Blues might have to make a quick decision with Barcelona, and Manchester United hot on the trails of Onana.
