Chelsea has homed some of the greatest and most expensive goalkeepers to ever play the beautiful game of football. But this is no coincidence. The club’s biggest successes have come with an unscorable number 1 standing between the sticks.
When it comes to it, Chelsea has shown that no amount is too big to secure the best goalkeepers in the world, leading the club to become one of the biggest spenders on players in this position over recent years. This detailed article by Sports Buddy looks at the most expensive goalkeeper transfers in Chelsea history.
The Expensive Goalkeepers In West London History
From the likes of Čech, Courtois, and Kepa, the Blues have been blessed with some top goalkeeping talents. Here’s a look at Chelsea’s most expensive goalkeeper transfers, pound for pound.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga – £71.6 million (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea, 2018)
Following Thibaut Courtois’ move to European giants Real Madrid in the 2018 summer window, the London powerhouse was in dire need of a secure replacement.
Eyebrows were raised when a deal was struck for Kepa, as the player was relatively unknown outside Spain despite a superb season with Bilbao. The deal went on to be the most expensive goalkeeper transfer of all time.
His time with the club has been epitomized with inconsistency, however. Kepa is now on a season-long loan spell with over-achieving Bournemouth.
2. Edouard Mendy – £22 million (Rennes to Chelsea, 2020)
With Kepa producing erratic displays, Chelsea legend Čech advised head coach Frank Lampard to sign the Senegalese shot-stopper, who ironically also played for Rennes, Čech’s former team.
It took little time to convince fans of this decision, with Mendy coming clutch for the Blues as the no.1 man during his stint at the club.
With a host of winners’ medals to his name, like the Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup, amongst others, it could be contended that Mendy is the best Chelsea goalkeeper transfer in recent memory, with former forward Tony Cascarino saying he is one of the club’s “best-ever signings”.
3. Robert Sánchez – £20 million (Brighton to Chelsea, 2023)
With the emergence of ball-playing goalkeepers, Chelsea pushed to sign Spanish keeper Robert Sánchez following Mendy’s departure to the Saudi league in 2023.
Currently the first choice in West London, his run at the club has been marred by mixed performances, with some calling him one of the worst Chelsea goalkeeper transfers.
With eight errors leading to goals in his EPL career, Sánchez still has a lot to prove to win the hearts of the fans.
4. Ðorďe Petrović – £12.5 million (New England Revolution to Chelsea, 2023)
Chelsea’s spending spree under new American owner Todd Boehly since his arrival has clearly stated his intentions for the side.
The arrival of Petrović from the MLS was a record for a goalkeeper in the league and the New England Revolution.
The Serb, known for his quick reflexes and penalty saves, is currently on loan at Strasbourg, Chelsea’s affiliate club in Ligue 1. Petrović would likely be eyeing a return where he can carve his name in Chelsea goalkeepers history.
5. Thibaut Courtois – £8 million (Genk to Chelsea 2011)
Initially signed from Genk for £8 million in 2011, Courtois spent multiple loan spells with Atletico Madrid for three seasons before returning to Chelsea in 2014. His story was the case of a boy leaving home and finally returning as a man.
Understandably, even though Courtois couldn’t Čech as the club’s number one, Chelsea was unwilling to part ways after witnessing his performance in Belgium that led some to believe he would become one of the best soccer goalie of all time.
6. Petr Čech – £7 million (Rennes to Chelsea 2004)
Ironically, the last name on this list of Chelsea most expensive goalkeeper turns out to be none other than the greatest Chelsea goalkeeper of all time: Petr Čech.
With the influx of cash coming in from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic following his takeover in 2003, Petr Čech was signed for £7 million in 2004, making him the Chelsea most expensive goalkeeper transfer at the time.
With his production of top saves weekly, which culminated in thirteen trophies for the Blues, Čech was known to be the backbone of a solid defense in their prime and an icon in Chelsea goalkeepers history, earning the plaudits of opponents and teammates alike.
In recognition of his heroics en route to their Champions League triumph in 2012 via shootout, Frank Lampard famously said, “I think Pete’s been one of the best goalkeepers for many, many years. He’s unbelievable, particularly in the year we won the Champions League, looking back on the final and the games towards the final and how much he saved us. I don’t think he got enough recognition for it on a world scale. People talk about other goalies in Spain and Italy, but nobody was in Pete’s class that year.”
With a total of 4 golden gloves, alongside pioneering a Premier League record of 24 clean sheets in his first season, Cech’s influence on the club has proven decisive in their decision to splash the cash on assured goalkeeping talents throughout the years following his departure in 2015 to rivals Arsenal.
