West Ham United could attempt a surprising swap deal with Chelsea in the upcoming January transfer window, aiming to solve their ongoing uncertainty in the goalkeeping department.
Goalkeeper Headache at the London Stadium
The Hammers' situation between the posts has been problematic this season. Despite spending £20 million to sign Mads Hermansen from Leicester City last summer, the 25-year-old Dane was dropped after a series of shaky performances under then-manager Graham Potter.
This allowed Alphonse Areola to reclaim the number one jersey, and while the Frenchman has had strong moments, the club's decision to re-sign veteran Lukasz Fabianski on a free transfer indicated lingering doubts. Reports from Hammers News suggest Hermansen could even be sold just six months after his arrival, highlighting the need for a definitive long-term solution.
A Potential Solution from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea may hold the key to West Ham's dilemma. According to The Athletic's Simon Johnson, Chelsea's second-choice goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen wants to leave Stamford Bridge in search of regular first-team football ahead of next summer's World Cup.
While Chelsea are said to be reluctant to lose the 23-year-old, a unique opportunity could arise. Offering an out-of-form Hermansen to Chelsea would be an audacious move, but it might just work due to the connection with Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
The Maresca Connection
Maresca was the manager at Leicester City when the club signed Hermansen and oversaw his development during their Championship promotion campaign. The Italian has previously labelled the goalkeeper as 'brilliant', and Hermansen has been linked with a move to Chelsea since Maresca's appointment.
This existing relationship could be pivotal. Hermansen needs a manager to restore his confidence, and Maresca is arguably the best person to do that. At Chelsea, he would provide competition for Robert Sanchez without the immediate pressure of being week-in, week-out starter.
What Jorgensen Would Bring to West Ham
In return for facilitating a Hermansen-Maresca reunion, West Ham would seek to bring Filip Jorgensen to the London Stadium. At just 23, he is nine years younger than current first-choice Alphonse Areola and represents a potential long-term fix.
Despite not being Chelsea's primary choice, Jorgensen boasts significant pedigree. He was part of the Villarreal squad that won the Europa League in 2021 and more recently lifted the Conference League with Chelsea this year.
His talents have not gone unnoticed by pundits. Former West Ham star Joe Cole praised him after a performance against Heidenheim last season, stating: "Filip Jorgensen was good in goal tonight... He has faced a lot of shots and he has produced moments. He will be pushing for a start over Robert Sanchez."
While securing a new striker and centre-back remain the top priorities for manager Nuno Espirito Santo this January, this proposed goalkeeper exchange presents a clever opportunity to address another persistent issue. The success of such a deal would hinge on convincing Chelsea to part with a promising asset, but the shared history between player and manager offers a compelling narrative for all parties involved.
