Chelsea need to sign Liverpool star who wanted summer transfer and stats back up praise

Caoimhin Kelleher is too good to play for Liverpool again and would undoubtedly be Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper.

That's the view of talkSPORT's Jason Cundy, who praised the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper.

Kelleher continued to replace the injured Alisson in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig and impressed with a series of excellent saves.

The 25-year-old has previously spoken of his frustration at being the Reds' number 2, insisting he is ready to take on the responsibility of being first choice, even if it means leaving the club permanently.

And his stance was further strengthened this summer following Liverpool's acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Spanish side Valencia.

The Georgian goalkeeper will arrive at Anfield next summer, leaving the coach Arne Slot with three goalkeepers considered worthy of a starting spot.

Cundy praised the Irishman after his recent performances against Chelsea and Leipzig and drew comparisons with Blues starting goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.

“What was really evident to me at the weekend was that Chelsea's number 1 is not as good as LiverpoolHe's No. 2,” Cundy said at the Sports Bar. “Every time I see Kelleher play, he looks top-notch.

“Sometimes when you see a No. 2 goalkeeper come in, you might see the defense drop a little deeper or hesitate to make back passes.

“Whenever Kelleher is in goal and he has played a lot over the last 18 months to two years in both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League, he never looks out of place.

“Liverpool don't seem weaker with him in goal and, by the way, that is a huge complement.

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“If you are a Liverpool fan, I know you have Mamardashvili, but you don't want Kelleher to leave either. He's too good to be number two.

“I want Kelleher (at Chelsea).”

Kelleher, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract next summer, faces an uncertain future on Merseyside.

The 'substitute' goalkeeper is not bad at all.

According to Opta, his 16 saves this season have a goals avoided value of 3.0, just above Alisson's 2.6 in the 2024/25 season.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson still has two and a half years left on his contract, yet the club have been reluctant to let Kelleher leave despite a succession of public pleas to grant him a move.

“I've made it clear over the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be No. 1,” Kelleher said last month.

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“The club has made the decision to hire a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili), which makes it seem like they have made the decision to go in another direction.

“Liverpool have also rejected some offers. It is not always in my hands to make the decision completely. My ambition is clear. “I'm good enough and I want to go play week after week.”