Chelsea 'keeping tabs on Giorgi Mamardashvili, Unai Simon'

Chelsea have reportedly identified Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili and Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon as two goalkeeping targets.

The Blues overhauled their goalkeeping department in the summer, allowing Edouard Mendy to complete a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, before Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal.

While Mendy and Arrizabalaga headed through the exit door, Chelsea brought in Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic from Brighton & Hove Albion and New England Revolution respectively.

Sanchez was seemingly recruited as a backup goalkeeper, before an injury to Thibaut Courtois forced Real Madrid to swoop in for Arrizabalaga.

As a result, Sanchez has been handed the number one spot, keeping four clean sheets in Chelsea's 12 competitive matches this season.

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While the 25-year-old is currently trusted by Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues are open to bringing in a new first-choice goalkeeper.

According to 90min, Chelsea are keeping tabs on the progress of Mamardashvili and his fellow La Liga goalkeeper Simon.

The report claims that Chelsea scouts were in attendance at San Mames on Sunday to watch Mamardashvili's Valencia face off against Simon's Athletic Bilbao.

Both goalkeepers conceded two goals each, as Athletic equalised in stoppage time to ensure that the contest finished as a 2-2 draw.

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While Mamardashivili is believed to be at the top of Chelsea's shortlist, they continue to monitor Spain's first-choice goalkeeper Simon.

The Athletic shot-stopper, who has made a total of 170 appearances for the Basque club, has kept five clean sheets in 11 league games this season, helping Ernesto Valverde's side pick up 18 points to leave them in sixth position.

Mamardashivili is also the number one shot-stopper for his national side, Georgia, and he has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga.

Since joining Valencia from Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2021, Mamardashivili has gone on to record 21 clean sheets in 74 matches.

Although Chelsea continue to track potential targets, they are unlikely to move for a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer window, with other areas of the pitch set to take priority.