Free Agent Arrives London, Passes Medical, Will Complete Chelsea Move Today

Erstwhile AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia will arrive in West London today to undergo medical examination ahead of penning a deal with Chelsea, according to Sky Sports per Tuttomercatoweb.

Amelia – who made 16 appearances for Milan in the past three years as he was a back-up to number one choice Christian Abbiati – has been a free agent for the past year, with his last involvement with a club being at Perugia.

Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is out till December after suffering an injury while on international duty for Belgium, with Asmir Begovic stepping in to be the number one goalie for the team.

Courtois’ injury has made the Blues short of goalkeeper options, with 21-year old rookie goalie Jamal Blackman left as Begovic’s understudy. However, Jose Mourinho fears that any injury or suspension to the Bosnian shot-stopper will derail Chelsea’s already disastrous season, and the Portuguese boss has now moved to sign a new goalkeeper for his side.

Mourinho was also reportedly interested in Porto’s 37-year old goalie Helton but ruled out a move ahead of their Champions League defeat to the Portuguese champions at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday evening [via Sky Sports].

“Helton has a contract with Porto and will only be available in January,” Mourinho said. We need a goalkeeper now, not in January when Courtois will be available

The deal is reportedly close to completion, as renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio said Marco Amelia was expected to arrive at Chelsea yesterday ahead of putting pen to paper on a deal with the reigning Premier League champions.

Begovic has, of course, been performing well for Chelsea in the absence of Courtois, but the former Stoke City custodian has always been exposed by what used to be the Blues’ main strength in years, now their weakness – the defence. The nine Premier League goals Begovic has conceded has somewhat betrayed his good performances.

However, Amelia will not break any Premier League regulations and as such, the Italian shot-stopper would be eligible to play immediately for Chelsea, as claimed by the Daily Mail.

Amelia, 33, has trained with the Blues and he will head back into West London today to sign a deal with the Stamford Bridge outfit. Chelsea have room in their 25-man squad to accommodate a senior foreign player so the transfer is brilliant for the Blues.

Up next for the Blues is another tricky tie against Southampton next weekend, as the Blues will be hoping to recover from their early season woes after losing thrice in the league this term.