Chelsea have agreed to extend the contract of Willy Caballero till the end of 2020-21 season. The 38-year-old Argengine shot-stopper’s contract was due to expire next month but he proved himself as a good backup for Kepa.
Caballero will now stay for his fourth season for the Blues after extending the contract. After extending he said it is a ‘blessing and privilege‘.
We have some @willy_caballero contract news! ✍️
— Chelsea FC (at 🏡) (@ChelseaFC) May 20, 2020
“I am very happy to make this announcement. It is a privilege to be part of this Chelsea squad and the Chelsea family, at one of the most historic clubs in the Premier League,” Caballero told Chelsea FC website.
“It is a difficult time for everyone right now so I feel blessed by this opportunity and truly appreciate it. I want to thank my team-mates for helping me to be my best and I want to thank the boss and the club for extending my contract. I’m sure they will continue to demand the maximum from me and I will compete with the same energy as always. I am very happy,” he added.
Chelsea’s director Marina Granovskaia said: “Willy has proved himself to be a reliable member of our squad over the past three seasons so we are very pleased he has agreed to spend another year at Chelsea.
“He has at times had to be patient and wait for opportunities but has still been able to make a positive contribution to the team, which is very much appreciated by the club. We look forward to him resuming his influence among the group once football is safe to return.’
Frank Lampard added: “I trust in Willy, he trains brilliantly and is a great professional. He stepped into the team earlier this year and showed his quality, and his experience is invaluable in the dressing room. I’m delighted he will be with us next season.”
After spending three seasons at Etihad, Caballero joined Chelsea as a backup goalkeeper. Caballero is known for his reflexes and is an excellent penalty stopper. With Kepa struggling with his form this season, Lampard chose Caballero as the first-choice goalkeeper against Hull City. He started the next four Premier League games for the Blues as Kepa was benched. He also started in Chelsea’s 0-3 loss against Bayern in February.
This season he averages 2.4 saves per game which more than Kepa’s average (1.7). In Caballero, Chelsea have got one of the best backup goalkeepers in the Premier League. No wonder, the Blues decided to extend his contract for one more season.
