Xabi Alonso: “Diogo Costa? I’m very happy with the goalkeepers I have” | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso sought this Friday to dismiss the rumours linking Diogo Costa with a possible move to Chelsea. The “blues” manager said he is satisfied with the goalkeeping options at his disposal.

“I’m very happy with the goalkeepers we have. Mike Penders did well at Strasbourg [last season, on loan] and [Robert] Sánchez has good experience after several years in the Premier League,” the Spanish coach said, at a time when Chelsea are holding pre-season in Asia.

As Portal dos Dragões had already reported, Diogo Costa remains firmly at FC Porto. So far, no offer or approach for the goalkeeper has reached the blue-and-white SAD, and he is protected by a €60 million release clause. In addition, several of the clubs with the financial means to move for the number 99 have already solved their goalkeeping situations or chosen other targets, such as Chelsea, Newcastle, PSG and Manchester City.

The London club, often linked with the Porto keeper, have an excess of players in the squad and are expected to have already established the pecking order for the position. According to the prestigious “The Athletic”, Chelsea officials have “played down” the reports about Diogo Costa, precisely because they have several alternatives: Robert Sánchez, Mike Penders – back from his loan at Strasbourg, which is expected to receive Filip Jorgensen -, Gaga Slonina and Teddy Sharman-Lowe. The lack of participation in European competitions this season is another factor that does not appeal to Diogo Costa.

Newcastle, owned by a Saudi Arabian fund, have already invested more than €30 million in Hornicek and have dropped out of the race. Meanwhile, PSG are negotiating the signing of Parma’s Zion Suzuki, while Manchester City are reported to have recently moved for Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli. As a result, there are fewer and fewer clubs capable of getting close to the value of the Porto captain’s release clause, and it should be remembered that he has shown no interest in a move to the Saudi league.

Last week, Diogo Costa did not guarantee that he will remain at FC Porto, aware that the situation could change at any moment, but made it clear that he will not force an exit. “I’ve been linked with leaving this club for some time now. As I’ve said up to now, what I can say is that I’m very happy here and, as long as I’m here, I’ll always be the same player and the same person,” he assured. After winning the Super Cup on Saturday — the 10th trophy of his career and the ninth in service of the dragons — the goalkeeper is now preparing for the league clash with Alverca.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.