Caoimhin Kelleher urged to 'get going' and leave Liverpool for Chelsea in potential £35million transfer
11/21/2024 12:55 PM
Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper – he’s too good to be Liverpool’s back-up.
That’s according to talkSPORT’s Darren Bent, who likened his situation to Emiliano Martinez, who swapped Arsenal for Aston Villa in 2020.
Kelleher is a rumoured summer transfer target for Chelsea and has a reported valuation of £35million.
The 25-year-old has been behind Alisson in the Liverpool goalkeeping rankings for much of his career at the Premier League giants.
An exit could offer him regular minutes elsewhere, something that Martinez has experienced since swapping the Emirates for Villa four years ago.
Martinez made only 38 appearances for the Gunners during his ten-year stay in north London, most of which came in his last season.
He is now the first choice goalkeeper at Villa and a World Cup winner with Argentina, with Bent citing him as an example of a positive exit.
Speaking about Kelleher potentially eyeing a starting role on Drive, the former Premier League striker said: “I always look at Martinez.
“He was at Arsenal for like ten years and finally got an opportunity at the end, done incredibly well, won the FA Cup, was brilliant.
“[Bernd] Leno comes back [from injury], they sell him. Then obviously he [Martinez] leaves, the rest is history, wins the World Cup, is at a fantastic club in Aston Villa.
“I think Kelleher is a very good goalkeeper. He’s 25, it’s time now, let’s get going now, do you know what I mean? I think there’s an opportunity there [at Chelsea].
“I’m not convinced on [Robert] Sanchez if I’m honest, makes some unbelievable saves… But I think him [Kelleher] going in there, [for] £35million, that’s not even a risk I don’t think.”
Kelleher has made 55 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions since making his debut for the club in 2019.
Most of his minutes have come in cup competitions, with the Irish international key in an FA Cup win and two Carabao Cup triumphs.
Given his quality, he would have a strong case of taking the role of starting goalkeeper at Chelsea from Sanchez.
The Spaniard has been at fault for some of the goals the Blues have conceded this season and conceded two penalties.
However, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has continued to back Sanchez and start him in Premier League matches over Filip Jorgensen.
After the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, The Telegraph reported that the club believe he can become one of the Premier League’s best.
Chelsea are also said to be confident that, despite recent his errors, Sanchez’s decision-making will match his talent eventually.
They have no shortage of goalkeeping options on their books as last season’s no.1 Djordje Petrovic is on loan at sister club Strasbourg.
Young prospect Mike Penders is also due to join the club from Genk in the summer after Chelsea announced his signing in August.
