Chelsea’s dire need for a new first-choice goalkeeper became even more apparent at the weekend when Robert Sanchez made yet another howler against Manchester City.
In an attempt to collect a long pass to Erling Haaland from City ‘keeper Ederson, the Spaniard found himself in no man’s land, allowing Haaland to turn and lob the ball over him into an empty net.
The error was his fifth leading directly to a goal this season – the joint-highest total in the Premier League.
Speaking after the City game, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted that despite Sanchez’s propensity for errors, he trusts the 27-year-old between the sticks.
“We trust Robert for sure,” Maresca said. “He is completely aware he is making mistakes in this moment. We trust Robert. We have one entire week and we will see the reaction for the next game.
“Robert, for sure, is completely aware he has to do better,” he added. “He knows perfectly. In this moment it is like this. The good thing is he is the first one knowing, aware that he has to do better.”
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Interestingly, before the game, Maresca said that while he does trust Sanchez, he may not need to for too much longer.
Asked whether Sanchez can be Chelsea’s No 1 for many years to come, Maresca said: “For this season? No doubt. But then in the future, we don’t know. It is not only about Robert. It is not even about me, you know? I’m focused on this moment, this season.”
So come the end of the season, who could Chelsea bring in to replace Sanchez? Here, we’ve outlined seven possible replacements for the Spaniard.
1
Gregor Kobel
Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel has been one of German football’s standout goalkeepers since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2021, keeping 46 clean sheets in 142 games for BVB, including 7 in 27 Bundesliga matches last season.
Though he’s struggled a little more this term, it seems to be more a reflection of Dortmund’s poor form as a team – leading to the sacking of Nuri Sahin – than his individual performances.
Kobel’s impressive stats and lack of errors last season make him an ideal candidate for Chelsea. His experience in European competitions would also be a significant asset.
2
Djordje Petrovic
Djordje Petrovic
Strasbourg (on loan from Chelsea)
Djordje Petrovic was Chelsea’s first-choice ‘keeper for much of last season under Mauricio Pochettino, but was deemed surplus to requirements when Maresca took over in the summer.
Now on loan with sister club Strasbourg, it would be easy for Chelsea to bring him back into the fold if they so desire, and it would certainly be a quick fix to a problem position.
The 25-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 and was recently described as “world-class” by Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior.
“We have seen huge progress from Petro,” Rosenior said of the Serb. “He is a world-class goalkeeper. We see it every day and it is still paying off today.”
3
Diogo Costa
Diogo Costa
Porto
Diogo Costa has been one of the steadiest hands in Europe over the past few years, keeping 77 clean sheets in 181 games for Porto, including 11 in 19 league games this season.
However, it was his remarkable performance at last summer’s European Championship that truly captured global attention. In Portugal’s last-16 clash against Slovenia, Costa made history by saving all three of the opposition’s penalties in the shootout – a feat never before accomplished in the tournament’s 66-year history.
Following that heroic display, Chelsea reportedly approached Costa during the summer transfer window, but the 25-year-old ultimately stayed at Porto. In late 2024, CaughtOffside reported that the Blues remained interested in Costa, but that Porto are expected to demand a hefty £59 million fee for their star goalkeeper.
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4
Mads Hermansen
Mads Hermansen
Leicester City
According to reports, Maresca wanted to sign Leicester City shot-stopper Mads Hermansen in the summer, but instead ended up signing Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal.
Hermansen was the Italian’s first-choice ‘keeper during his promotion-winning season at the King Power Stadium, keeping 13 clean sheets in 44 games.
Maresca is understood to be an admirer of the Dane’s ability to play out from the back, which is something Sanchez has struggled to do this term.
TeamTALK reported in November that Leicester would want £35m for their current No 1.
5
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Bournemouth (on loan from Chelsea)
Kepa Arrizabalaga remains on Chelsea’s books, but the world’s most expensive goalkeeper is currently on loan at Bournemouth, where he’s played a key role for Andoni Iraola’s side this term.
The Spaniard has started 16 of the Cherries’ 23 Premier League games this season, keeping five clean sheets and saving 76.3% of the shots he’s faced (as per FBref) – which is the second-best record in the division, ironically level with Sanchez.
Though a return to Stamford Bridge for Kepa (which he supposedly wants) would make sense on paper, his record in west London makes for poor reading.
In his second season with Chelsea in 2019/20, the former Athletic Bilbao star recorded the worst save percentage of any goalkeeper in the Premier League, stopping just 54.5% of the shots he faced.
If Chelsea can get the Bournemouth version of Kepa back, great. If they get their old version back, less so.
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6
Filip Jorgensen
Filip Jorgensen
Chelsea
Signed by Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer, Filip Jorgensen has yet to make a significant impact in the Premier League, but has shown promise in cup competitions, keeping five clean sheets in 11 games.
He also boasts a mightily impressive save percentage, having stopped 80% of the shots he’s faced in the Premier League, while he’s saved 83.9% in the Conference League, as per FBref.
At just 22 years old, Jorgensen could offer a long-term solution for Chelsea in goal, and clearly has the potential to grow into a top-tier goalkeeper.
However, to do that, Maresca needs to give him more of a chance in the league rather than stick with Sanchez despite his continuous errors. Doing so will no doubt be frustrating the youngster and potentially putting a dent in his confidence.
7
Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool
Earlier this year, Liverpool’s Caiomhin Kelleher expressed his desire to leave Anfield, stating he wants to “go and be a number one and play week in, week out”.
Though he’s impressed when called upon, the 26-year-old has never been able to displace Alisson as Liverpool’s regular No 1. In August, the Reds also completed the £30 million signing of Valencia ‘keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will move to Merseyside next year.
Kelleher has kept seven clean sheets in 14 games for Liverpool this season and looks at home at a top Premier League side.
