‘Four incredible years’: £50m player now appears to bid farewell to his club after Chelsea open talks to sign him

Chelsea have enjoyed a productive campaign under Enzo Maresca, with foundations clearly in place for the Italian to build upon.

Chaotic campaigns under the likes of Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino saw Chelsea finish 12th and sixth in the last two seasons, although the Blues are evidently making progress, sitting fourth in the Premier League heading into the final day.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	37	25	8	4	85	40	45	83
2	ArsenalArsenal	37	19	14	4	67	33	34	71
3	NewcastleNewcastle	37	20	6	11	68	46	22	66
4	ChelseaChelsea	37	19	9	9	63	43	20	66
5	Aston VillaAston Villa	37	19	9	9	58	49	9	66
6	Man CityManchester City	36	19	8	9	67	43	24	65
7	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	37	19	8	10	58	45	13	65

However, there is certainly still room for improvement, and a target for Enzo Maresca could now be on his way to Stamford Bridge after appearing to bid farewell to his current club.

Gregor Kobel seems to say goodbye to Borussia Dortmund amid Chelsea talks

BILD have now published quotes from Gregor Kobel after the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign came to an end, and it very much sounds like the Borussia Dortmund No.1 is off.

The Switzerland international said: “It was important to me that we were in the Champions League, because this club simply belongs in the Champions League.

“It’s been four incredible years here (for me). The Champions League final, almost winning the championship, and this year it’s been a completely different season. It was definitely exciting, and it never got boring.”

The Swiss glovesman still has a contract at the Signal Iduna Park running until June 2028, so the finality of his words is quite intriguing to hear.

They come after Christian Falk claimed that Chelsea are in talks to sign Kobel after a tough season in goal for Robert Sanchez, with Borussia Dortmund valuing the 27-year-old at a sum of €60m (£50m).

The German football expert said: “There is a possibility that Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel could play in the Premier League next season.

“Talks are continuing between Chelsea and the 27-year-old, with another meeting planned. BVB, however, don’t want to sell their No.1 which is why they’re setting a price tag of at least €60m.”

Chelsea have also enquired about Emiliano Martinez – with the Aston Villa No.23 seemingly a backup option to Kobel.

Chelsea simply have no need to sign Gregor Kobel

If this deal materialises, it would be an odd use of transfer funds.

Chelsea – who could sell Christopher Nkunku to Liverpool – have already invested heavily in goalkeepers since Todd Boehly arrived, signing Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders and Gabriel Slonina in that department.

Of course, some of these names are billed as glovesmen of the future – Penders is just 19, for example – although spending heavily on Kobel, a fairly young goalkeeper himself at the age of 27, would suggest Chelsea have no plans to promote any of the precocious goalkeeping talents they already have anytime soon.

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