Expert: Chelsea working on deal to replace regular starter who Enzo Maresca previously criticised
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(Credit: Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Tue 23 September 2025 16:30, UK
Chelsea are planning to step up their plans to replace Robert Sanchez with a new goalkeeper heading their list of priorities in 2026.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that work has begun behind the scenes for Chelsea to sign a new goalkeeper.
Frustrations aimed at their current shot-stopper have grown after Sanchez became the quickest Chelsea player to be sent off in the Premier League against Man United.
His inconsistent performances at Stamford Bridge have raised concerns for Enzo Maresca, who is now aiming to sign an “elite” goalkeeper to bolster their title chances.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 19 September that Chelsea will reignite their interest in Mike Maignan after failing to agree terms with AC Milan in the summer.
Credit: Imago
Brown first told Football Insider in February that Chelsea plan to sign a new goalkeeper as Maresca is keen to upgrade on his current options.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Chelsea scouts have already begun looking for replacements between the sticks.
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“A new goalkeeper is something Chelsea have been looking at for a while,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve identified that as an area of their team where they feel they can improve, and I think it’s something they have to do if they want to be title contenders.
“Sanchez is a good goalkeeper, but he’s not an elite one, and he’s showed that this season.
“There have been a few errors this season, not least the one against Man United, and that’s something you can’t afford if you want to win major silverware.
Credit: Imago
“So it’s going to be a position Chelsea look to strengthen, and I hear they already have scouts assessing a number of potential replacements for him.
“I think that’s a move they’re going to step up either in January or at the end of the season, because we know they’re not afraid to spend money.”
Following his error against Man United, Sanchez’s time as Chelsea’s number-one goalkeeper could be coming to an end in the next two transfer windows.
Chelsea’s preparations to sign a new goalkeeper have come after Maresca revealed Sanchez is “far from where I want him to be” after another avoidable error.
[The Times]
Sanchez was sent off after just five minutes against Man United, ultimately proving to be the catalyst for the Blues’ defeat at Old Trafford.
This is not the first time the goalkeeper’s errors have proved costly, however, with patience amongst the coaches and fans at Stamford Bridge now beginning to run out.
Brown told Football Insider on 22 September that Chelsea have “no chance” of winning the Premier League given their lack of defensive solidity.
Sanchez has played a key role in that key issue under Maresca, and could soon be replaced as the club push forward with their ambitions to win silverware.
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