The first deadline day of the summer turned out to be a far quieter affair than many believed it was going to be as far as Chelsea are concerned.
The transfer window opened early in order to assist sides who are featuring at the Club World Cup, with them having a chance to secure new signings before making the trip to the United States.
The Blues were looking to add to the already confirmed signing of Liam Delap, with Mike Maignan and Jamie Gittens being targeted by the club.
Chelsea met Borussia Dortmund’s valuation for Gittens, however the structure of the deal could not be agreed, and they will have to return to the negotiating table later this month.
The biggest news of the day was actually to do with a player departing, as reserve goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli left after four years at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James and Cole Palmer gutted at deadline day Chelsea news
Despite playing just one game for the Blues in that time, the Englishman’s role at the club was far bigger than many may assume.
Bettinelli ran the Chelsea Whatsapp group, and was part of the leadership group alongside Reece James and Enzo Fernandez.
Even though his departure may not be gamechanging on the pitch, it is clear it has left many first team players gutted in West London.
After Bettinelli posted his goodbye message to Instagram, Cole Palmer and James were amongst those to respond, clearly upset by the situation.
Chelsea will likely be looking for an experienced third choice goalkeeper to join the club this summer, with the situation regarding the number one shirt having very little clarity.
Chelsea’s confusing goalkeeper situation
Chelsea may return to try and sign Maignan, however he will not be part of the first team squad before the Club World Cup gets underway.
This leaves Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders as options to start the first game again, after it has emerged that Djordje Petrovic will not be travelling to the United States.
Petrovic has been told he can leave this summer, and Sanchez has already been offered to other sides in potential swap deals to gauge if there’s any interest in him around the Premier League.
It could end up being whoever impresses most in America will be given the chance to start the season in goal, even if Enzo Maresca is not fully convinced by the options available for him.
