While Chelsea have sorted out their striker needs with the capture of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and will be welcoming Hakim Ziyech to compensate for the exits of (definitely) Pedro and (most probably) Willian, they still need to sort out their goalkeeping situation.
Kepa Arrizabalaga isn’t exactly Frank Lampard’s favourite at Stamford Bridge, which has led to numerous rumours linking the Blues to shot stoppers around Europe.
Instead of the Spaniard, however, they could already have a good, young Italian keeper on their books if only they had listened to one of their former goalkeepers, Marco Amelia.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb Radio, the 38-year-old discussed the Napoli player, and revealed a little anecdote from his time at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “For me, [Alex] Meret is among the best out there. When I was at Chelsea, I recommended him as a name to the goalkeeper coach, because he’s a great prospect and has shown excellent things both at the beginning of his career and in Naples.
“He’s currently fighting with a more experienced goalkeeper who in the past has fought with Szczęsny and Fabiański and is more used to it: it’s part of the growth path that will turn him into a mature goalkeeper as a team for the top, where I am convinced Napoli will return to fight alongside Lazio, Inter and Juventus”.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper arrived at the Serie A club permanently from Udinese last summer for £23.5m following an initial loan and picked up his first Italy cap last November.
He has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season, including starting the Coppa Italia final, which Napoli won on Wednesday evening by beating Juventus via a penalty shootout, during which he saved from Paulo Dybala before Danilo skied his over the bar.
