Darren Bent wants Chelsea to make a move for Arsenal target David Raya
Former Tottenham and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent suggests Chelsea to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya who is being targeted by Arsenal this summer.
Earlier in the day, Evening Standard revealed that the Gunners have struck personal terms agreement with Raya as the Spanish keeper pushes for an exit from Brentford in the coming days.
It is slightly strange to know that Mikel Arteta wants to sign a potential first-choice keeper even though he has Aaron Ramsdale donning the gloves for the past two seasons.
Bent feels Raya should reconsider his options before signing for Arsenal and suggests Chelsea to sign the Spaniard. Here’s what he said (h/t Talksport, via Football London):
“David Raya is better than Kepa Arrizabalaga. So why would Chelsea not go for him?
“And why would David Raya not think, ‘hold on, why am I going to Arsenal to play behind Aaron Ramsdale? Why don’t I go to Chelsea and be their number one?’ There’s something not quite right with Arsenal’s deal for David Raya. If I was Chelsea, I would be trying to get him.”
Chelsea are in the market for another Spanish stopper Robert Sanchez of Brighton and Hove Albion. Mauricio Pochettino wants to add competition to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s position in the team.
If we look at the performance levels of Raya and Sanchez over the past two seasons, the former does pip the latter. Moreover, Sanchez hasn’t been playing much of late after falling out of favour with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi late last season.
So, it makes sense why Arteta wants to sign Raya and probably replace Ramsdale with him. But, for the Brentford stopper, would he want to go there and wait for his opportunity?
Bent is right that Chelsea should test the 27-year-old’s decision-making and see if he wants to come to Stamford Bridge. He is a better keeper than Kepa and could get the starting role here earlier than at Arsenal.
He is pretty good between the sticks and is decent with the ball at his feet. Moreover, after Edouard Mendy’s departure, we need a capable goalkeeper to compete with Kepa.
More Chelsea News
- Chelsea have launched opening bid for Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez
- Mauricio Pochettino is keen to keep Angelo Gabriel at Chelsea next season
- Following the club’s agreement to sign Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah is ready to leave Chelsea
It could be an interesting few days coming up as teams scramble to complete their squads through transfers ahead of the start of the season in 10 days’ time.