Manchester United‘s Victor Valdes has reportedly emerged as a surprise target for Chelsea, as the Blues look to bolster their goalkeeping ranks with No. 1 Thibaut Courtois a long-term injury absentee.

Courtois picked up a knee injury earlier this month, which is set to keep him out of action until December. Former Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is an able deputy, but Chelsea will be in trouble should the Bosnian pick up an injury or suspension, as they have no obvious backup.

As a result, Blues manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly targeting out-of-favour United goalkeeper Valdes, per MailOnline’s Sami Mokbel. 

Mokbel reports that, should Begovic become unavailable, Chelsea will apply for an emergency loan, and Valdes is a potential replacement option along with Inter Milan‘s Juan Pablo Carrizo, Atletico Madrid‘s Miguel Angel Moya and Porto’s Helton.

It is likely that former Barcelona keeper Valdes would be open to the move, as he has been sidelined at Old Trafford after falling out with manager Louis van Gaal, per ESPN FC’s Alex Shaw.

However, it seems highly unlikely that the Red Devils would be open to moving Valdes on to a Premier League rival, even though David De Gea and Sergio Romero are now above him in the pecking order. 

Begovic’s current deputy at Stamford Bridge is 21-year-old Jamal Blackman, who has never made a Premier League appearance.

Thus any injury to Begovic before the return of Courtois would likely have an adverse effect on the Blues’ attempt to defend their Premier League title.

Per Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe, Chelsea have started the season in disappointing fashion and currently sit 15th in the English top flight:

Mourinho’s men have been uncharacteristically dreadful at the back so far in 2015-16—only bottom-of-the-table Sunderland have conceded more than the Blues’ 12 goals—a problem that would only be exacerbated should Begovic pick up an injury or suspension.  

Valdes would be a brilliant backup to bring in, as he is hugely experienced at the top level, having spent over a decade at Barcelona and won three Champions League titles.

However, Chelsea may struggle to sign him given that United would be loath to strengthen one of their key Premier League rivals.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1LRoC2F
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