4 signings that could put Chelsea in next season’s title race

2. Jan Oblak

Just as Van Dijk helped to completely transform Liverpool’s fortunes, the same can be said for their goalkeeper Alisson.

Having such a talented man between the sticks is so vital to any side because they can bail the defence out time after time. Even when a team is not performing well, they know they can depend on their keeper to keep a clean sheet or limit the goals conceded.

If Chelsea want an excellent keeper, which Kepa sadly has not turned out to be, there are few, or perhaps none, better than Jan Oblak.

The Slovenian has arguably been the best in the world for the past five years, ever since he took over from former Chelsea man Thibaut Courtois at Atletico Madrid. His record of 105 clean sheets and only 120 goals conceded in his 190 games for Atletico speaks for itself.

In contrast, Kepa has conceded 81 goals in just 68 games and has kept an alarmingly low 22 clean sheets.

Oblak, having played three times as many games, has kept a clean sheet in 55% of his games, while Kepa has kept a clean sheet in 32%. Also, Oblak has conceded about 0.6 goals/game, while Kepa has conceded 1.2 goals/game, exactly double.

While some of the difference may be attributed to Chelsea’s poor defence, while Atletico’s stellar backline has been coached by tactical mastermind Diego Simeone, Kepa has made many high-profile mistakes, so there’s no doubting that he is part of the problem.

Signing Oblak would not only take that problem away, but it would turn the goalkeeper position at Chelsea from a liability into an advantage. It would not completely overturn their defensive woes, but it’s a big start.

His release clause is €120m, but Chelsea are looking to offer Kepa to Atletico as a way to lower the fee. The reality is that they will probably not want him, though, and that means Chelsea would be forced to pay full price.

It remains to be seen whether Abramovich is willing to meet that price, but if he is, it would be a huge coup for Chelsea.