Jose Mourinho is planning an unlikely transfer swoop to sign Manchester United’s Victor Valdes on an emergency loan deal.
The Pensioners currently have only one fit senior goalkeeper, with Thibaut Courtois out with a long-term knee injury.
While Asmir Begovic—who was signed from Stoke City in the summer—is an able replacement for the Belgian, and should do a finejob for the Blues, Mourinho is understood to be on signing goalkeeping cover.
According to the Daily Mail, the Portuguese manager is concerned that an injury to Begovic could completely derail any hopes his side had of challenging for the league title this term.
The paper report that Mourinho and his staff are assessing their options and considering a list of potential ‘emergency options’ should misfortune befall Begovic.
Perhaps the most surprising name on the Blues’ list is Valdes.
The experienced Spaniard remains an excellent operator between the sticks, and remains unused at Manchester United after a move away from the club to Besiktas fell through during the summer [Independent].
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However, would Louis van Gaal be willing to loan the player to EPL rivals Chelsea in a crisis? It’s hard to imagine the Dutch coach opting to help out the Blues out should they find themselves desperate for a keeper.
Valdes, who has won the World Cup, the European Championships and the Champions League, could still be a key player in the Champions League, and van Gaal would surely be loath to see the experienced campaigner make his EPL mark with one of United’s rivals.
The other names on Chelsea’s emergency list, according to the Mail, are FC Porto’s Hhelton, Miguel Angel Moya of Atletico Madrid and Juan Pablo Carrizo of Internazionale.