According to reports from The Express this afternoon, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that free agent and summer Arsenal target Marco Amelia is training with the club.
The 33 year-old goalkeeper was part of Marcello Lippi’s World Cup-winning Italy squad in 2006 and has represented Livorno, Palermo, Genoa and AC Milan throughout his club career, making 317 appearances across all competitions.
He left the San Siro in 2014 and has been a free agent since the end of last season, following an unsuccessful spell with Perugia.
Arsenal were believed to be targeting Amelia during the summer. The nine-cap international is quoted by The Metro as saying in July; “Arsenal? I signed a confidentiality agreement, so I cannot say anything. I’m still young for a goalie, I’m 33 years old and who knows in the future.”
But Blues boss Jose Mourinho confirmed in today’s press conference that he’s been training with the west London outfit over the last few days.
It comes amid a goalkeeping crisis at Stamford Bridge with Asmir Begovic currently understudied by 21 year-old Jamal Blackman, who has made just one competitive appearance to date, in the absence of injured No.1 Thibaut Courtois. The Belgium international is expected to be out of action until December following a knee operation.
Reports yesterday claimed Amelia would sign a contract with the Premier League champions this afternoon. Clearly, they were wide of the mark but Mourinho has hinted a deal could be just around the corner.
When asked if he intends to sign another goalkeeper before January, the Portuguese replied; “Yes, we will try. We have at the moment Marco Amelia with us, working with us for a couple of days. He’s an experienced goalkeeper, he knows what a big club is.
“He knows the responsibility of playing in the Champions League, his national team. The last couple of years he didn’t play so much and hasn’t trained with a team for a few months, but what you need is some cover and stability until Courtois is back. Maybe he’s the guy to give us that.”
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