Enzo Maresca has been urged to replace ‘improving’ Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a ‘top’ alternative.
Chelsea have enjoyed a promising start to the 2025-26 season after a productive summer transfer window in which almost £300m was spent on new signings.
One area of Maresca’s squad which was not strengthened was in goal, although Chelsea did express interest in signing Mike Maignan from AC Milan.
A number of pundits questioned Chelsea’s decision not to sign a new shot-stopper as current No. 1 Sanchez made a number of mistakes last season.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel insists Sanchez is ‘improving’ and looks ‘more consistent’ this season but still believes he must be replaced for his former club to achieve their goals.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Currently third in the Premier League, Chelsea have been named as ‘dark horses’ to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the title this season.
Maresca’s side also have aspirations of going deep in the Champions League, while they are already through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they face League One side Cardiff City.
‘There’s a little bit of improvement in his game, which we can all see,’ Obi Mikel said of £25m signing Sanchez on his YouTube channel.
‘When he’s doing well, we also have to give a bit of credit. Yes, Sanchez is doing a little bit better compared to what he’s done last season, a little few mistakes.
‘He started the season again a little bit shaky, but now he’s a little bit more consistent in terms of his performances. But I still think that we do need a top, top goalkeeper.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Sanchez kept a clean sheet as Chelsea thumped managerless Wolves 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Malo Gusto, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto scored the goals to send Chelsea up to third in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
A title challenge still looks unlikely from a team who have dropped points in five of their six games so far this season and Obi Mikel believes a lack of experience will cost the Blues.
‘I think we’re not going to win the league this season,’ added Obi Mikel, who won the Premier League twice during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
‘I think we just lack a bit more experience in terms of winning the league, but I think top four should be our aim this season, Chelsea.’
Chelsea return to Premier League action after the November international break against Burnley, who are currently sat just outside the relegation places.
Maresca’s side then welcome La Liga champions Barcelona to Stamford Bridge for a huge Champions League clash.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.