Agent: Pavlenka ‘more likely’ to extend with Werder Bremen than to join Chelsea

Chelsea aren’t in desperate need of a new goalkeeper, unlike twelve months ago, but with Wilfredo Caballero’s departure, we are currently without a third goalkeeper (which is hardly a tragedy). But given the possibility, however slight, of Kepa Arrizabalaga leaving on loan, we might do well to explore potential options for signing a new backup to clear first-choice Édouard Mendy.

One such name linked recently with the club has been Czech Republic international Jiří Pavlenka, and not just because of the national connection with Chelsea technical director advisor Petr Čech. Pavlenka has one year left on his contract at Werder Bremen, and was set to be one of the more expendable pieces on the recently relegated side who will be playing in the German second division for the first time in four decades.

But according to his agent, Pavlenka leaving Bremen is not actually on the agenda, and in fact he could very well sign a new extension instead.

“Jiří Pavlenka has a valid contract in Bremen, where he is currently preparing for the next season. As for speculation about the possible interest of Chelsea, no specific offer has arrived…

“After the season, we declared that we would deal with the situation. The most probable variant, however, is that Pavlenka will sign a new contract in Bremen and thus continue in Germany.”

-Pavel Pillár, source: Nova Sport

Pavlenka, 29, would surely still want to be a first-choice goalkeeper at this stage of his career, and while he’s not had the greatest time at Bremen as of late, he’s still a very solid player with great physical attributes. He’d be an excellent backup at Chelsea (other than the fact that he’d take up a non-homegrown spot), but it doesn’t sound like that has a great chance of actually happening.