Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has suggested that Chelsea should consider a move for goalkeeper Andre Onana, despite the Cameroonian recently rejoining Trabzonspor on a second consecutive season-long loan. Fortune believes Onana possesses qualities that could benefit top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.
Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, has significantly invested in new players this summer, with spending exceeding £300 million to bring in over ten recruits. However, the club has yet to secure a new goalkeeper following Filip Jorgensen’s departure, leaving Robert Sanchez as the likely starter. Fortune’s comments highlight a potential area of focus for the London club as they prepare for the new season.
Onana’s Distribution Qualities Highlighted
Fortune, speaking to Premier Bet, emphasized Onana’s exceptional distribution skills, which are increasingly sought after by modern football managers. He noted that Onana’s ability to play out from the back and initiate attacks could be a significant asset. “Andre Onana could be an asset to Chelsea, Newcastle United or Aston Villa in the Premier League. You can see the quality for playing out from the back as many managers now want with their style of football, he can be your starting point,” Fortune stated.
The former South Africa international further elaborated on the impact a goalkeeper with Onana’s passing range can have. “When you’ve got a goalkeeper like Onana who can ping a ball 50, 60 yards to your striker or midfielder and break the lines with his passes, that can make a huge difference, and he’s one of the best at it,” he added. Fortune acknowledged that Onana needs to regain his confidence, as mistakes by goalkeepers are often highly scrutinized. He expressed hope that Onana could return to his best form, describing him as “outstanding” when playing out from the back.
Onana’s contract with Manchester United runs until June 2028, and his current loan spell at Trabzonspor for the 2026-27 campaign does not include an option for the Turkish club to buy him. This situation means that any immediate move to Chelsea would require an unexpected change to the existing loan arrangement, making it a more hypothetical scenario than a straightforward transfer opportunity.
Alonso’s Summer Signings and Leadership
Beyond the goalkeeper discussion, Fortune also commented on Chelsea’s other summer acquisitions, specifically praising the signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson. Fortune admitted he had wished Manchester United had brought Welbeck back to Old Trafford. However, he commended Alonso’s strategy of bringing experienced leaders into the Stamford Bridge dressing room.
Fortune suggested that Alonso, drawing from his experience at Real Madrid, identified a need for strong personalities within the Chelsea squad. “Xabi Alonso made some good signings for Chelsea this summer but I wish we could have seen Danny Welbeck return to Manchester United. By signing Welbeck and Jordan Henderson he wants to bring in some leaders to set good examples which you need at a club like Chelsea, especially after the experience Alonso had at Real Madrid,” Fortune explained.
He further added that Alonso likely assessed the Chelsea dressing room and felt it was “lacking something.” The introduction of players like Henderson and Welbeck, according to Fortune, brings the right personalities and experience to make a significant difference. He described them as not only top players but also great professionals, highlighting their potential impact on the team’s dynamics and overall performance. These experienced additions are seen as crucial for a club like Chelsea, especially with a new managerial setup.
Chelsea is set to commence their Premier League campaign with a West London derby against Fulham on August 24. This opening fixture will provide an early test for Alonso’s tactical approach and his ability to integrate the numerous new signings into a cohesive unit. Resolving the primary goalkeeper role and ensuring the new recruits gel quickly will be critical priorities for the Blues as the new season gets underway, aiming to improve upon their 10th-place finish last season.
Source: goal.com
