Manchester City and Chelsea often tend to do direct business with one another.
The likes of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling have recently left the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge, whereas Mateo Kovacic made the opposite move in June 2023.
Now, another player has made the switch from Chelsea to Manchester City in Marcus Bettinelli after Scott Carson was released – and a section of supporters in west London are not happy about it.
Chelsea fans question why Marcus Bettinelli has been sold to Manchester City
The man born in Camberwell was hardly a pivotal figure on the pitch for Enzo Maresca – he failed to make a single appearance last season – but behind the scenes, his importance has been well documented.
A story from the Telegraph even claimed that Bettinelli often pushed his teammates in training despite his minimal squad role, and put his experience to good use at the age of 33.
Now, Chelsea fans are questioning why their club have helped a direct rival in Manchester City by handing them the Londoner.
One Chelsea supporter complained on X (previously known as Twitter): “I want to know the backstory to this transfer. City losing Scott Carson, with their homegrown (quota) problem increasing. They (then) have to go out and find a new third choice homegrown keeper.
“(So) let’s give City a perfect third choice homegrown keeper who is a leader and (a) top character. Why?”
Another Chelsea fan echoed that sentiment, writing “good luck Betts” but adding that they “don’t know why we’ve done this” and helped a Premier League rival.
Furthermore, a third Chelsea supporter simply wrote: “We should have kept him.”
A fourth Chelsea fan alluded to claims that Bettinelli is an important figure in the dressing room, posting: “Locker room morale just took a big hit btw (by the way).”
Elsewhere, another Chelsea supporter expressed concerns that the squad is becoming too young as Todd Boehly continues his youthful recruitment charge, writing: “Reducing the squad to a bunch of mumbling teenagers (will) surely help with team spirit and minimise bad spells.”
Last but not least, another Chelsea fan backed up the comment above, saying: “(Only) real ones know how important he was to the Chelsea squad without even playing.”
Manchester City fans could witness even more change in the goalkeeping department
Bettinelli has now replaced Carson, but more change could occur in this area of the squad.
Ederson could still leave Manchester City this summer as the Brazilian enters the final 12 months of his contract, amidst interest from Saudi Pro League sides.
Manchester City have also been in contact with Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG – and Lille No.30 Lucas Chevalier – as Hugo Viana attempts to make sure the Citizens can act accordingly if Ederson does depart.
