Why Chelsea should make a move for Ajax’s Andre Onana
According to Daily Mail, Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has been linked with a move to Chelsea and is keen to join the Blues in the summer.
Onana, 24, started at the Samuel Eto’o Academy in Cameroon and joined Barcelona’s La Masia Academy in 2010. He rose rapidly through the ranks in Catalonia but moved to Ajax in January 2015 in search of first-team chances.
He joined Ajax’s U21 initially before becoming a first-team regular in the 2016/17 season. Since then, he has been part of an exciting Ajax side in recent seasons and has accumulated 178 appearances for the club, managing to keep 74 clean sheets in the process. The report also suggests that French Champions Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing him.
The Blues, meanwhile, have done a decent job in their first season under Frank Lampard. Working with a young squad, the manager has found a way to keep them going, helping them to the 4th place in the Premier League standings.
Chelsea were banned from making any signings last summer and despite their ban being uplifted in January, Lampard opted out from bringing in reinforcements. However, he has managed to bolster his attacking unit by signing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. But their defensive unit also needs to be strengthened in the summer.
The manager should make sure they have the required depth in every position, something that Chelsea have been deprived of in recent times. And if they are to do better in the next campaign, the Blues have to spend heavily this summer.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping conundrum
The goalkeeping department has also been a concern for the manager. First choice shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga hasn’t quite made an impression this season. The Spaniard has made several high-profile errors this term and doesn’t seem to be at his best.
Lampard was forced to put him on the bench for a few games in February. He has managed just 8 clean sheets in 33 games across all competitions, conceding 43 goals.
Second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero has also not done well when he was given his chances, managing just one clean sheet in nine games. He is already 38 and is at the back-end of his career. Thus, a goalkeeper is a must in the summer.
In that regard, signing Onana would be a viable choice for Chelsea. The Cameroonian has been a regular for four seasons in a row and has immense experience despite being just 24. He was a key member of the squad that reached the Champions League semi-finals last season and also helped his side to the Dutch League title last season.
He has been in fine form this term, managing 15 clean sheets in 39 games across all competitions and conceding just 37 goals – less than one goal per game. Given his form, he could be a starter at Chelsea and his inclusion in Lampard’s squad would also bring in healthy competition.
Read more
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- Opinion: Why Chelsea must push ahead with their interest in Lorenzo Pirola
Verdict
With Kepa and Caballero performing below par, Chelsea need to recruit an in-form shot-stopper. And Onana has proven to be a top performer for Ajax in the past few seasons. Thus, the Blues should lure the former Barcelona man to Stamford Bridge this summer.
