‘Next 24 hours’: Goalkeeper Chelsea wanted to sign is now about to join Anderlecht

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Chelsea were keen to sign Kasper Schmeichel during the transfer window after letting Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga leave Stamford Bridge.

That was according to the Guardian.

So, what is the latest on Kasper Schmeichel? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well, Chelsea had already signed Robert Sanchez when the Guardian claimed that Mauricio Pochettino wanted the 36-year-old as a replacement for Kepa.

The Blues eventually spent £14m to sign Djordje Petrovic from New England Revolution instead of moving for Schmeichel.

Now – after OGC Nice terminated his contract – the Denmark international is about to join Anderlecht on a free transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The reliable Italian journalist believes Schmeichel will sign a one-year contract with the Belgian giants, and the move should be completed within the next 24 hours.

This deal can be done outside of the transfer window as the unemployed glovesman is currently out of contract.

Chelsea missed an opportunity in Kasper Schmeichel

While Petrovic is a very promising goalkeeper with bundles of potential, we feel Pochettino missed an opportunity to inject some much-needed experience into his squad with a move for Schmeichel on a free transfer.

The Dane is a natural leader, and boasts 284 Premier League appearances to his name, whereas Petrovic arrives as No.2 to Sanchez as an inexperienced 23-year-old at this level.

Schmeichel is, of course, a Premier League winner as well as an FA Cup winner, so he would have also instilled a winning knowhow into Chelsea’s squad.

In our view, it would have made sense to give Schmeichel the No.2 role and hope he acted as a figure of guidance around Cobham, while loaning Petrovic back to New England Revolution.

Nevertheless, Todd Boehly and Pochettino decided to trust the Serbia international, and we hope he shines in between the sticks if Sanchez is ever sidelined.