Chelsea are set to back incoming manager Xabi Alonso in the summer transfer market, with the club preparing a bid for Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The 23-year-old Dutch shot-stopper has impressed in his debut Premier League season, helping Sunderland avoid relegation and climb into the top half of the table, above Chelsea.
Alonso's First Signing Target
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Alonso is poised to take over at Stamford Bridge after signing a four-year contract. Sacked by Real Madrid in January, Alonso emerged as Chelsea's top managerial target following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, who lasted just 106 days after replacing Enzo Maresca in January. Unlike his predecessors, Alonso will have a say in recruitment as manager, not just head coach.
Goalkeeper Priority
Goalkeeper has been a rare position where Chelsea have not invested heavily, but that is set to change. The Blues are targeting Roefs, who joined Sunderland for £9m last summer but is now valued at around £50m amid interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. Both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have made costly errors this season, prompting calls for a new No. 1.
Gary Neville has urged Alonso to sign at least four players: a goalkeeper, two defenders, and a striker. 'Chelsea lack experience and physicality down the spine,' Neville said. 'They need a top centre forward, a centre back or two, and definitely a new goalkeeper.' Roefs has kept ten clean sheets this season, the seventh most in the Premier League, and is expected to be part of the Netherlands World Cup squad.
Previous Interest and Future Plans
Chelsea had previously targeted Mike Maignan and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City. Jody Morris, Frank Lampard's former assistant, believes Chelsea should have signed Donnarumma. Interim boss Calum McFarlane will oversee the final two games against Tottenham and Sunderland before Alonso takes charge in July.
