August 27th 2024.
Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, is currently focused on reducing the size of his overpopulated team before the transfer deadline. On that note, goalkeeper Kepa Arizabalaga has recently agreed to a new contract with the team, but on reduced terms, as he prepares to complete his loan to Bournemouth.
Kepa, a Spanish international, made headlines in 2018 when he became the most expensive signing in the club's history after his £72 million transfer from Athletic Bilbao. However, he has struggled to secure a consistent spot as the team's number one goalkeeper under various managers. Last season, he was loaned to Real Madrid due to an injury to Thibaut Courtois, but he lost his position to Andriy Lunin after making a few costly errors. This season, Kepa returned to Stamford Bridge but had expressed a desire to leave in order to play regularly.
The main obstacle to Kepa's departure was his high salary, but according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, he has agreed to a new deal with reduced wages, which has helped facilitate his loan to Bournemouth. In the meantime, Chelsea has also secured the signing of 19-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders from Belgian club KRC Genk. Penders will officially join the team next summer on a long-term contract until 2032.
The young Belgian, who has played for his country's Under-19 team, made his senior debut for Genk last month and has already shown promise with a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Standard Liege. He will remain with Genk for the rest of the season before joining Chelsea next year.
According to Maresca, the primary goal for Chelsea in this transfer window is to offload players from their squad to balance the team's finances. Since American owner Todd Boehly took over two years ago, the club has already spent over £160 million on 11 new signings, including Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Filip Jorgensen.
While Chelsea has sold Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid and Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa, they still have over 40 senior players registered, which could pose a problem with the Premier League's financial rules. Maresca stated that his focus is on improving his players and not necessarily competing for the Premier League or Champions League titles.
He wants to see his team play with a clear idea and aggression both on and off the ball, and his main goal is for them to continuously improve with each game. Maresca believes that this will ultimately lead to success for the team. With Chelsea news, exclusives, and analysis available, fans can stay updated on all the latest developments at the club.
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