Exclusive claims Manchester City want Chelsea’s jester – most unlikely transfer rumour of the summer bubbles up | OneFootball

Here’s something we didn’t expect to be writing anytime soon – a Marcus Bettinelli transfer rumour.

The Chelsea goalkeeper has long been part of the currency of homegrown (by UEFA standards) third choice stoppers who the top team register in their squads to allow them more freedom in the positions further forward, knowing that a third choice goalie is very unlikely to play.

Man City want MB as their new SC

The top of that tree is Scott Carson. The former Liverpool player has been at Manchester City for 6 years, racking up medals without ever touching the pitch.

Just like in the case of Bettinelli, they’re chosen because of their nationality and training status, but really it’s about being a good presence in the dressing room. Carson has just been released by Man City, and they now are looking to Bettinelli to replace him, according to Mike McGrath’s piece in the Daily Telegraph today.

“The Chelsea goalkeeper would cost a small fee compared to City’s current summer moves for Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri,” McGrath points out – it truly would be a nominal fee. But it would be something of a blow to the dressing room dynamics which are being built up at Stamford Bridge.

Losing Bettinelli would be a surprising blow to Chelsea dynamics

In four years ago Chelsea, the former Fulham stopper has played just one game, against Chesterfield in the FA Cup in 2022. But as McGrath notes, he is “recognised by managers as having an important part in the squad for pushing team-mates in training.”

He’s one of just a handful of players over 25, and has been part of the “leadership group.” As we heard from Rob Green, who played a similar role for Chelsea years ago, the third choice keeper can play the role of a sort of “jester”, able to speak truth to power knowing they’re not risking being dropped.