Manchester City has confirmed the acquisition of Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea, appointing him as their third-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season – a strategic move designed to reinforce squad depth ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 33-year-old England-born shot-stopper makes the move free of charge—or for a nominal fee—with Bettinelli reportedly giving his full consent to the transfer. He replaces veteran Scott Carson, whose contract expired earlier this month.
Bettinelli’s stint at Stamford Bridge began in 2021, signing from Fulham. In his four years at Chelsea, he made just one senior appearance—a memorable FA Cup third-round match in January 2022, which ended in a 5–1 victory over Chesterfield. Despite this limited playing time, Bettinelli earned plaudits within the club for his professionalism, leadership, and influence in the dressing room, often described as a “glue guy” behind the scenes.
Manchester City’s sporting director highlighted the value of such character within the squad, emphasizing that while Bettinelli will likely have restricted on-field action, his presence during training and on the bench will be an invaluable asset – especially as City embarks on its Club World Cup campaign.
This signing forms part of City’s ambitious “mini” transfer window ahead of the tournament, during which they have spent over £111 million on several key signings—including Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders.
Looking Ahead
Bettinelli will officially join the City squad for their Club World Cup campaign, which kicks off on June 15, 2025. His role will be primarily as a dependable backup to Ederson and Stefan Ortega, with first-team action unlikely barring injury or rotation. Nevertheless, his addition strengthens City’s
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