Chelsea have been urged to consider a shock deal to sign 'outstanding' goalkeeper Andre Onana from Manchester United, with former Red Devil Quinton Fortune suggesting the 29-year-old could be a valuable addition to the Premier League.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has already overseen a significant spending spree this summer, with the Blues splashing out over £300m on more than ten new signings. Despite this heavy investment, Chelsea have resisted the urge to bring in a new goalkeeper, even though Robert Sanchez has faced criticism and Filip Jorgensen has left the club. The west London side were heavily linked with a new shot-stopper last summer but appear ready to start the new season with Sanchez as Alonso's first-choice keeper.
Fortune backs Onana for Chelsea move
Quinton Fortune, who played for Manchester United between 1999 and 2006, has now suggested that Chelsea should enter the race for Onana, who spent last season on loan at Turkish club Trabzonspor after United signed Senne Lammens. The Red Devils are open to offers for Onana, but a permanent sale has proven difficult due to his significant wages and his desire to fight for his place back at Old Trafford.
That path back to the starting XI appears unlikely given Lammens' development, and Fortune believes Onana could emerge as a target for Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa. Speaking to Premier Bet, Fortune said: 'Andre Onana could be an asset to Chelsea, Newcastle United or Aston Villa in the Premier League. You can see the quality for playing out from the back as many managers now want with their style of football, he can be your starting point.'
Onana's passing ability and confidence
Fortune highlighted Onana's exceptional passing range as a key attribute, saying: 'When you've got a goalkeeper like Onana who can ping a ball 50, 60 yards to your striker or midfielder and break the lines with his passes, that can make a huge difference, and he's one of the best at it. He just needs to find his confidence again now because when a goalkeeper makes a mistake unfortunately the whole world sees it. I hope he can get back to his best because when you need a goalkeeper to play out from the back, he can be outstanding.'
The former Premier League winner also expressed his frustration that Manchester United missed out on Danny Welbeck, who made a surprise move from Brighton to Chelsea last month. Fortune praised Chelsea's transfer decision, saying: 'Xabi Alonso made some good signings for Chelsea this summer but I wish we could have seen Danny Welbeck return to Manchester United.'
Alonso's leadership signings
Fortune believes Alonso is deliberately adding experienced leaders to the Chelsea squad, citing the arrivals of Welbeck and Jordan Henderson as examples. He said: 'By signing Welbeck and Jordan Henderson he wants to bring in some leaders to set good examples which you need at a club like Chelsea, especially after the experience Alonso had at Real Madrid. He's looked at the Chelsea dressing room, felt that it was lacking something, and brought in the players with the right personalities and experience to make a difference in Henderson and Welbeck. They are not only top, top players but great professionals too.'
Chelsea face west London rivals Fulham in their Premier League opener on August 24 and will be eager to improve on last season's 10th-place finish. The club's transfer activity this summer, including the potential pursuit of Onana, will be crucial in their bid to climb the table.
