Breaking: Chelsea to field 11 goalkeepers against Man City

Chelsea continue to splurge on their gigantic squad, and are almost at the point where they can field 11 goalkeepers

By / Football News / 3 months ago

Chelsea will make history on Sunday, when they become the first professional football team to field a starting XI made up entirely of goalkeepers.

The West London side host champions Manchester City in their Premier League opener and coach Enzo Maresca, cannot wait to go toe-to-toe with his former mentor Pep Guardiola.

“I love goalkeepers” Maresca told reporters at a press-conference earlier this week, “The only thing I like more than goalkeepers, are reserve goalkeepers.

The Blues recently signed Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal, to take their tally of custodians including youth team stoppers to nine, and with former keepers Dave Beasant and Ed De Goey set to return to the Bridge and sign one-year deals in the next 24 hours, Maresca will have a full complement in place for the big kick-off.

Dmitri Kharine is also in negotiations with the club, though it remains to be seen if they can find a pair of tracksuit bottoms in his size.

A source close to the club told Paddy Power News:

“The gaffer is a closet goalkeeper. He even puts the keeper’s gloves on to drive his car into work every morning.

Enzo Maresca

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca waves before a preseason friendly

“He’s always wanted to play in the nets, ever since he was a kid, but he was deemed too small by his managers in Italy.

“In training he is the first one to put his hand up to go in goal in the five-a-sides, so to have an entire XI made up of goalies is like a dream come true for him.

“The owners have backed him all the way and are completely on-board, prepared to throw more good money after bad to support this radical new approach.

“The only reason they splashed out £54M on Pedro Neto is that someone told the gaffer that he used to play in goal for his school team.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: A general view inside Stamford Bridge Stadium is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Another club source, who has been present at the training sessions over the past few weeks, told us that:

“The gaffer had a lot of problems at the start, trying to teach his players how to tackle instead of diving at an opponent’s foot.

“He’s been putting a lot of emphasis on the long throw for obvious reasons and has brought in Rory Delap as throw-in coach. He is convinced that his side can cause Pep and company major problems from these situations.

“He’s also been playing rush goalie in some behind closed doors friendlies, which means that Chelsea could also become the first team to play with a false number one.”

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