Chelsea have held talks with Ben Roberts about a long-term role in their goalkeeping department.

Roberts was among the coaches who followed Graham Potter to Chelsea last September and has remained part of their backroom staff under interim manager Frank Lampard, who was placed in charge until the end of the campaign following the former Brighton manager’s sacking in April.

And the Blues are understood to be keen to keep the highly-regarded 47 year-old Roberts on board at the club beyond this season.

Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino will bring his own coaching staff to Stamford Bridge with him, including his trusted goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez.

But Chelsea value Roberts’ expertise and have discussed retaining him as part of the club’s staff.

Chelsea have held talks with goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts (right) to sign a new contract

Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino will also look to bring his own goalkeeping coach to the club

Roberts (right) joined the club as part of Graham Potter’s coaching staff in 2022 and has worked with a range of top shot-stoppers including Tim Krul (left)

That could potentially lead to a wider remit for Roberts and include input on signings in his specialist position, with goalkeeper one area they are looking to strengthen this summer.

Roberts is hugely respected in his field having followed a 17 year professional playing career with coaching roles at Yeovil, Charlton and Brighton before joining Chelsea.

He has played a key role in improving a long list of current goalkeepers including the likes of Nick Pope, Jason Steele, Robert Sanchez and Tim Krul.

Along with Roberts, Billy Reid, Bruno Saltor and Bjorn Hamberg were also part of Potter’s Chelsea coaching staff having worked with him at Brighton.

Reid left with Potter, though, the situations of Saltor, who led Chelsea for one game against Liverpool following Potter’s dismissal, and Hamberg have yet to be clarified by Chelsea.

Source: dailymail.co.uk