Of course, there has been a lot of conversation about the Chelsea players who have failed to make England’s World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel made a brave call, leaving Cole Palmer at home. He was the one who scored in the EURO 2024 final for the Three Lions, albeit in vain. Coming out of the tournament, there was plenty of conversation about how he had not been given enough opportunities. Just two years later, he has been left out completely.
Another Chelsea player who missed out is Levi Colwill. That is down to his ACL injury though, which kept him out for the majority of the season. He only returned in the final few weeks of the campaign. So, one can understand why Tuchel was reluctant to hand him a spot in the squad.
Reece James will be Chelsea’s only representative for England at the World Cup. On the other hand, the Blues do have their eyes on a player who has made Tuchel’s squad for the tournament.
It is another goalkeeper, which has been the theme these past few days. According to Alex Goldberg, Chelsea have made checks on Dean Henderson.
Chelsea eyeing move for another goalkeeper
Let’s just say that Chelsea have been linked with quite a few goalkeepers over the past few days. Mile Svilar of AS Roma is one of them. The club returning for Mike Maignan a summer later has also been suggested. Another potential target is SC Freiburg goalie Noah Atubolu. Now, we can add Henderson’s name to that list.
Henderson is going to be part of England’s squad at the World Cup. He is not expected to play though, as the first-team gloves firmly belong to Jordan Pickford.
At club level, Henderson captains Crystal Palace. And at 29 years of age, he is very much in his prime as a goalkeeper.
This is not the first time Chelsea have been linked with Henderson. There was believed to be some back when he was at Manchester United as well. But nothing ended up materialising.
Henderson’s teammate could be better signing
There are many who feel that Henderson’s England teammate, James Trafford, could be a better signing for Chelsea at this time. He is another player who was being linked with the club recently. But that noise has quietened a lot.
Either that means that Chelsea are no longer interested. Or it could mean that they are working behind the scenes.
Trafford is expected to leave Manchester City this summer. He had joined the club hoping to be the starter but soon found himself behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order.
It is impressive that Trafford has made the England squad despite the little football he has played this season. That just goes to show how highly he is regarded and should be someone Chelsea keep their eyes on, if they do want to sign a goalkeeper this summer.
It is very possible that they could continue with Robert Sanchez. The long-term plan might be to slowly move Mike Penders into that starting spot, if he proves good enough.
