Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes incoming stopper Edouard Mendy will replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Blues' number one spot.
Mendy is set to join Chelsea from Stade Rennais on a deal worth an initial £18.47million, plus £2.7m in add-ons.
And he could waltz straight into the starting position, according to Schwarzer, who doesn't believe Kepa has 'progressed' enough since his £72million move from Athletic Club in 2018.
"It’s obvious that there are questions marks over Kepa, I think his save ratio last season was the worst in the Premier League," Schwarzer told Goal.
"He clearly hasn’t had a good time there. I think it hasn't been entirely his own doing - defensively Chelsea haven’t been at their best.
"I think the step up to Chelsea has been astronomical and add the fact that they’ve paid a world-record fee for him, it’s been really tough.
"I just don’t feel he’s progressed as far as they hoped he had hence why they believe they need to bring in another keeper to really push him.
"I’d be surprised if they brought in Mendy and didn’t wait too long before putting him in as number one. It could be very damaging [to Kepa] and he may feel he has little chance to retain it."
Schwarzer also believes former keeper turned technical and performance advisor Petr Cech is the man who earmarked Mendy as the right man to compete with Kepa.
He added: "Apparently Petr Cech has had a big say in him coming to the club if that transfer happens and you’ve got to trust his judgement."
