Chelsea's "keeper addiction" continues

How many goalkeepers are enough for a football team to function properly? Most people would say three or four - one top-class as a first choice, his reliable understudy, the third option just to be safe, and perhaps a youngster who could learn from the more experienced colleagues.

Todd Boehly's Seven Keepers Army: why does Chelsea have so many custodians!?

Well, if you ask Chelsea, at least eight, apparently. Namely, the Blues currently have as many as seven custodians under contract, three of which are loaned out - Djordje Petrovic (Strasbourg), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Bournemouth), and Gabriel Slonina (Barnsley). Not to mention the teenage loanees - Eddie Beach, Ted Curd, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, and Luke Campbell, as well as Mike Penders, who'll join in July from Genk. Still, that does not stop them from planning to sign another?!

Robert Sanchez is a regular starter, Filip Jorgensen is his replacement, and Marcus Bettinelli and Lucas Bergstrom are also there. Yet, none of them is obviously good enough for Enzo Maresca, the club's management, or whoever made the silly decision to go for another shot-stopper - none other than Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher!

Kelleher is Alisson's understudy at Anfield and has made eight appearances for the Reds this season since the Brazilian is injured. However, once he returns, the Irishman will probably get back on the bench. Considering his age (25) and the Republic of Ireland's starting custodian position, Kelleher would undoubtedly want to find the club where he'd be the first choice.

Whether Chelsea are the suitable alternative is questionable. However, the Blues are allegedly determined to bring Kelleher and are willing to splash out £35million (around €42 million)?! A lavish offer for a second-choice goalie, which Liverpool would hardly reject.