MANAGER CONFIRMS DEAL, PLAYER OFF TO CHELSEA.

Only few hours ago we heard rumors of Antonio Conte being ready to sign a new backup goalkeeper in the form of Diego Lopez. But now we have new reports emerging of Chelsea completing the deal for another goalkeeper, Portugal’s
Eduardo.

Dinamo Zagreb manager Zlatko Kranjcar said Eduardo will sign for Chelsea next week. Last season too, Chelsea had bought Marco Amelia, when they thought they needed an extra experienced goalkeeper. But he was signed on a one year contract, which wasn’t extended at the end of the season.

Speaking after their match against Salzburg, Dinamo manager Zlatko Kranjcar said:

“Eduardo has been given an amazing opportunity to leave for a big club like Chelsea. When he arrived we gained security in our team, and in my time in the club he has defended his goal very well. But the situation is that he is leaving. May he have all the good luck in a big club.”

Well, that’s as crystal clear a message as it can be, right?

This season young goalkeeper and academy product Jamal Blackman has been sent on loan to Wycombe Wanderers, leaving Asmir Begovic as the only backup goalkeeper to Thibaut Courtois. Therefore, Conte wants to add another experienced goalkeeper to the squad in case one of the keepers gets injured.

Eduardo, who plays for Dinamo Zagreb, is an experienced campaigner. He has previously played in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with Braga and Benfica, making a total of 90 league appearances over various seasons. He has also represented Genoa in the Serie A, making 37 league appearances.

Currently Eduardo plays for Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and has made 66 league appearances over the last two seasons. He is their first team goalkeeper but will have to compete with Begovic to become the backup to Courtois.

The 33 year old was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016 winning squad, although he did not play ahead of first team goalkeeper Rui Patricio. If he indeed signs for Chelsea, he will be making sure that he takes on that backup role in his club career as well.