According to Chelsea-focused journalist Simon Phillips, the Blues considered signing English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as a cost-effective free agent and valued his top-flight experience. After leaving Southampton, the 36-year-old rejected the move to Stamford Bridge because he wanted more regular first-team action. Instead of joining the Premier League club, McCarthy opted to move to a club in a lower division and officially moved to Leicester City, where he would be with his former manager, Russell Martin. According to Transfermarkt, the one-cap England international has a current market value of €200k.