Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has predicted the Blues could make a move for Manchester City’s James Trafford in the January transfer window. This comes as uncertainty continues to surround first-choice keeper Robert Sanchez.
The 22-year-old Englishman returned to the Etihad Stadium in July 2025 after City activated a buy-back clause in his contract with Burnley for a fee of around £27 million. Still, he has since fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in September.
Trafford started Manchester City’s opening three Premier League matches of the 2025-26 season but has made just six appearances across all competitions since then. Meanwhile, Donnarumma is establishing himself as Pep Guardiola’s preferred option between the posts.
Reports suggest the young goalkeeper has grown increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time and is considering a January exit to bolster his chances of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been a topic of discussion throughout the campaign, with Sanchez yet to fully convince supporters of his consistency. Schwarzer suggested his former club could capitalise on Trafford’s situation at the Etihad Stadium. He said:
“James Trafford for Chelsea? You can’t write anything off. I think the thing for Trafford is, I think I’ve met him once or twice, but I think if I were going to give him advice between now and the end of the season with a World Cup around the corner, wherever he goes, he has to make sure he’s playing.”
The Australian continued:
“He’s got to go to a club where they are signing him as the number one. And of course, he’s got to perform. I think he needs to find a club, even if it’s on loan, between now and the end of the season where he’s going to play week in, week out and prove what a good goalkeeper he is.”
Question marks still linger over Chelsea’s first-choice Robert Sanchez
Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has enjoyed a mixed career at Stamford Bridge. He won the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month award in November 2025 and claimed the Golden Glove at the Club World Cup.
However, Schwarzer believes consistency remains the fundamental issue preventing Sanchez from becoming the reliable presence Enzo Maresca needs to compete for major honours. The former Fulham and Chelsea keeper explained:
“The problem is his consistency. When you’re at a big club, you need consistency. Look at Manchester United and Andre Onana, Man City and Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in and what he’s done already.”
Schwarzer added:
“I’ve noticed it with Robert Sanchez, the minute he makes a poor decision with his distribution, fans are on his back, and it’s because he’s done it too often, I think, in a Chelsea shirt. That’s been one of the problems, and it’s been a position that I think so many people have thought that Chelsea would look to strengthen every transfer window, and they haven’t.”
Sanchez has kept seven clean sheets in 15 Premier League appearances this season. However, his distribution and decision-making under pressure continue to divide opinion among supporters at Stamford Bridge.