Oh boy. Right, so it's hardly a secret that Frank Lampard and Kepa Arrizabalaga haven't exactly seen eye to eye this season, resulting in the Spaniard sitting on the bench for a few games. However, one report has taken the craziness to a whole new level.
The Blues have been linked with the likes of Dean Henderson and Nick Pope if they choose to replace Arrizabalaga, but now Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen has had his name thrown into the occasion.
That's thanks to The Express, who believe that Chelsea are monitoring the German and could make a move for him if Arrizabalaga leaves to join... wait for it... Real Madrid.
Seriously. That's what it says.
So, you want me to believe that Real are interested in signing Arrizabalaga, who would likely cost a hefty sum of money thanks to his status as the world's most expensive goalkeeper, just to sit him on the bench behind Thibaut Courtois? Have they not realised that Courtois is actually good these days?
As the story goes, Arrizabalaga's move to Real would give Chelsea the chance to sign Ter Stegen, who is considering his future at Camp Nou after clashing with Lionel Messi.
Are we just ignoring the fact that Ter Stegen recently insisted he wants to remain at Barcelona, and that contract talks are underway?
It's almost as if The Express can't even pretend they have faith in this story, because they then spend more than half of the article talking about Chelsea's signing of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. You know, that deal that is not relevant to this whatsoever.
Maybe they're stuck in a time loop. Back in 2018, Real were tipped to sign Arrizabalaga, but they ended up signing Courtois instead. They had no need for him back then and need him even less now.
Don't get me wrong, if Arrizabalaga does leave, Ter Stegen would be an incredible replacement, but that's just not happening. Sorry to burst your bubble, but come on, really?
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Source : 90min