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Chelsea take former Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia on trial - sources

Chelsea have taken former AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia on trial as they weigh up a move for the free agent, sources have told ESPN FC.

Amelia, 33, was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad and is a free agent after leaving Perugia earlier this year, having initially dropped five divisions to kickstart his career at amateur side Rocca Priora last October.

As things stand, Chelsea only have one senior goalkeeper in Asmir Begovic available with No. 1 Thibaut Courtois out with a long-term knee injury.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is worried that he could face a major goalkeeping crisis if Begovic picks up an injury and joins Courtois on the sidelines.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Mourinho has been weighing up a move for Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes as he looks to bolster his goalkeeping options, but United are reluctant to let the former Barcelona man move to a Premier League rival despite not figuring in Louis van Gaal's plans.

Jamal Blackman has been acting as cover for Begovic, but Mourinho is keen to bring in a more experienced keeper in case he loses Begovic to injury or suspension fearing not bringing in enough cover could derail his side's season.

Blackman has made just one senior career appearance -- playing in a Capital One Cup game for Middlesbrough against Liverpool during a loan spell last season -- and was overlooked in the starting XI for last week's Capital One Cup win at Walsall.

Mourinho has now offered Amelia the chance to win a contract at Stamford Bridge with the 33-year-old having linked up with the club for training last week.

Chelsea are able to sign free agents having only named only 19 players over 21 in their 25-man Premier League squad.

The Premier League champions sold backup keeper Petr Cech to rivals Arsenal this summer despite Mourinho's protests.