Chelsea Make Double Goalkeeper Transfer Call Amid Recent Sanchez & Penders Decisions | OneFootball

Previewing Chelsea's 2026/27 campaign - Xabi Alonso's first in charge. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Chelsea are open to offers for backup goalkeepers Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Gabriel Slonina, despite the expectation that the former will be the third goalkeeper option under Xabi Alonso.

Earlier this month, Alonso insisted that he was happy with Chelsea’s goalkeeper options, virtually ruling out a potential move to sign a new goalkeeper.

He highlighted Robert Sanchez’s Premier League experience and Mike Penders’ “great” loan spell at Strasbourg, but he also mentioned Sharman-Lowe.

Both Penders and Slonina missed out on the early part of Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Australia and only joined the team in Asia.

With Filip Jorgensen returning to London to complete his season-long loan move to RC Strasbourg and Sanchez dealing with a minor fitness issue, Sharman-Lowe started both friendlies in Australia against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. They beat the Sydney-based side, but were narrowly beaten by Spurs.

The 23-year-old was back in the starting line-up in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. Slonina also featured in this game, replacing Sharman-Lowe as a substitute at the start of the second half.

Sanchez and Penders will compete for the number one spot. That said, Chelsea will need more than just two goalkeepers for the season, and Sharman-Lowe is likely going to play this role.

However, there could still be a change of plan at Chelsea with the transfer window still open.

Chelsea open to offers for both Sharman-Lowe and Slonina

According to the BBC, Chelsea could be interested in Championship loan offers for Sharman-Lowe. At the same time, the club are looking for both loan and permanent transfer options for Slonina.

Sharman-Lowe spent last season on loan at Bolton in League One and helped them reach promotion to the Championship. A loan to a Championship side would be a natural next step for the young goalkeeper.

Slonina’s presence certainly allows Chelsea to be open to the idea of sending Sharman-Lowe on loan, since the American already played a third-choice goalkeeper role at the club last season, albeit without making an appearance.

With both Sanchez and Penders in the team, the third goalkeeper is likely going to stay an emergency backup with very limited involvement, regardless of who stays at Chelsea between Sharman-Lowe and Slonina.

This is especially true since Chelsea will compete only in the Premier League, the League Cup, and the FA Cup, and will have no European football after a disappointing 10th-place finish last season.