And the award for the first major signing of the 2017-18 summer transfer window goes to veteran backup goalkeeper Wilfredo “Willy” Caballero. The 35-year-old’s contract with Manchester City expired at midnight last night and he was thus finally free to sign with the Premier League champions.
Welcome to Chelsea, Willy Caballero! https://t.co/GGFudYqdu3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2017
The former Boca Juniors trainee who made his name in Spain with Elche and Málaga had spent the previous three season with the blue half of Manchester, where he was backup to Joe Hart and then a semi-backup to Claudio Bravo last season. In fact, Caballero started almost half of City’s games (16 of 38 in the league) as not even Pep Guardiola could ignore Bravo’s high profile gaffes after a while.
Caballero, as reported some time back, signs a one-year deal with the Blues as he takes Asmir Begović's place on the bench behind first-choice Thibaut Courtois. Ideally, he doesn’t have to play too much, but our backup goalkeeping duties should be in safe hands for the next season.
Welcome, Wilfredo — I propose Wilfredo since we already have a Big Willi Style on the team. Let’s win some things!