Chelsea edge closer to deal for Danish ‘keeper

Enzo Maresca will take charge of Chelsea for the first time when they face League One side Wrexham on Thursday. 

The Italian was appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor earlier this summer, just weeks after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title.

Maresca’s first competitive match in charge of the Blues will be against Premier League champions Manchester City – where he was formerly assistant manager – next month.

In the meantime, Chelsea appear to be closing in on the signing of a highly rated goalkeeper.

As per Sky Sports, the West London outfit are edging closer to a deal for Villarreal ‘keeper Filip Jorgensen, 22.

Jorgensen – who has played 11 times for Denmark at Under-21 level – impressed for the Spanish side last term and the report claims that Maresca has identified him as a ‘keeper that can play with his feet, something that is crucial to the Italian’s style of play.

The Dane joined Villarreal’s youth setup from fellow Spanish side Mallorca in 2015, before progressing into the first team setup.

He has now played 44 times for Villarreal at senior level, keeping seven clean sheets.

It is claimed that Chelsea want the Dane to provide back-up and compete with Robert Sanchez for the starting spot at Stamford Bridge, although Sanchez himself was displaced as number one by Djordje Petrovic towards the end of last season.

Jorgensen’s current contract with Villarreal isn’t set to run out until the end of the 2028/29 campaign, but the report claims that Chelsea are closing in on a move for the player.

If he is signed, it will throw even more uncertainty on the future of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid after falling out of favour at the Blues but is now uncertain about his plans for next term.