Werder Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka has emerged as a potential option for Chelsea as they continue their search for a Kepa replacement.
According to a report from local Bremen news outlet, Deichstube, Jiri Pavlenka has emerged as a potential topic at Chelsea. The Premier League giants appear to be in the market for a new goalkeeper to play either as a third-choice or a direct replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga next season.
Chelsea have been recently linked with a shock move for Wayne Hennessey. However, one of their chief advisors in Petr Cech has recommended signing his compatriot Pavlenka, regarded as one of the best goalkeepers playing in Germany.
The 29-year-old is currently happy with his life at Bremen, despite the club’s relegation from the Bundesliga last season. He has recently returned to individual training for the Grunweissen after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the European Championship with the Czech Republic.
He is highly rated among the Bundesliga spheres, having been Bremen’s first-choice goalkeeper for four successive seasons. The Czech international has notched up a total of 155 competitive appearances while winning 14 caps for his country. He has consistently ranked among the highest in terms of saves made, impressing the onlookers with his shot-stopping qualities.
However, Pavlenka’s future at Bremen appears to be in serious doubt as the German giants look to thin out the squad after their relegation. New coach Markus Anfang already has two competent replacement candidates in Stefanos Kapino and Michael Zetterer, thus opening an avenue for the club to cash in on Pavlenka.
It bodes well for Chelsea, as they brace themselves for life without Kepa. The Spaniard has been linked with a potential reunion with Maurizio Sarri at Lazio after losing his place to Edouard Mendy this past season.
The Blues have been linked with multiple goalkeepers throughout the summer, including former Arsenal man Wojciech Szczesny. However, in Pavlenka, they could find themselves an excellent cost-effective option, who can not only offer experience to the table but is also good enough to compete with Mendy for a place in the first team.
Bremen themselves are more than likely to cash in on their prized goalkeeper, whose contract expires at the end of next season. Chelsea, therefore, could bag his services for a fairly reasonable price.