Chelsea need to sign Liverpool star who wanted summer transfer and stats back up praise

Caoimhin Kelleher is too good to play back up at Liverpool and would undoubtedly be first choice goalkeeper at Chelsea.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy who heaped praise on the Republic of Ireland international shot-stopper.

Kelleher continued to deputise for the injured Alisson in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory at RB Leipzig and impressed with a host of fine saves.

The 25-year-old has previously spoken of his frustration at being the Reds’ No.2, insisting he is ready for the responsibility of being first choice – even if that means permanently leaving the club.

And his stance was further strengthened this summer following Liverpool’s acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Spanish strugglers Valencia.

The Georgian goalkeeper will arrive at Anfield next summer, leaving boss Arne Slot with three goalkeepers all deemed worthy of a starting spot.

Cundy praised the Irishman following his recent displays against Chelsea and Leipzig and drew comparisons with the Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. 

“What was really evident to me at the weekend was that Chelsea’s No.1 isn’t as good as Liverpool‘s No2,” Cundy said on the Sports Bar. “Whenever I see Kelleher play he looks top drawer. 

“Sometimes when you see a No.2 goalkeeper come in, you might see the defence drop a bit deeper or they’re hesitant to do back passes.

“Whenever Kelleher’s in goal and he’s played a lot in the last 18 months to two years both in the Carabao Cup and Champions League, he never looks out of place. 

“Liverpool don’t look any weaker with him in goal and that is a massive complement by the way.

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“If you’re a Liverpool fan, I know you’ve got Mamardashvili coming in, but you don’t want Kelleher to go either. He’s too good to be a number two.

“I want Kelleher [at Chelsea].”

Kelleher, who enters the final 12 months of his contract next summer, faces an uncertain future on Merseyside.

The ‘back-up’ goalkeeper is not a bad one at all.

According to Opta, his 16 saves this season have a goals prevented value of 3.0, just above Alisson’s 2.6 in the 2024/25 season.

First-choice ‘keeper Alisson still has two-and-a-half years to run on his deal however the club have been reluctant to let Kelleher leave despite a succession of public pleas to grant him a move.

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“I made it clear in the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be a number one,” Kelleher said last month. 

“The club has made that decision to get a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) which makes it look like they’ve made a decision to go in another direction. 

“Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough and I want to go and play week in, week out.”

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Liverpool boss Slot was also among the people signing Kelleher’s praises for the way in which he has deputized for Alisson once again.

“Very fortunate [to have him], [but] it is also a normal thing at a club like ours that you have for every position almost, two very good players,” Slot told TNT Sports.

“We are very lucky, or we are happy, that we have two excellent goalkeepers, especially because Alisson was out last season and he’s been out this season again.

“That makes it even more important that you have a second choice like that.

“But it is not only him, it’s also other players that maybe haven’t played that much this season or were not always in the starting lineup that showed up today as well.

“It’s good to see we can do it with more than 11 players, we need the whole squad in a tough season like this.”

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