The summer window is expected to be a busy one for Chelsea after the club failed to make any additions in the January market, and a new goalkeeper is likely to be a priority.
Robert Sanchez’s form for Chelsea since the arrival of manager Liam Rosenior has been improving, following his two howlers in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.
But the consensus among fans and likely at board level too, is that Chelsea need a new goalkeeper. One that is commanding, on a par with Arsenal’s David Raya and Man City giant Gianluigi Donnarumma.
January transfer window review 👀
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Chelsea's January transfer window
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For a while, many believed Milan’s Mike Maignan would be the solution between the sticks with his contract running out. But the Frenchman has since signed new terms with the Serie A heavyweights.
Chelsea learn Robin Roefs fee amid interest in Sunderland star
Following that news, Chelsea have been linked with a raft of potential goalkeeper additions. Roma’s Mile Svilar is a target, with Jose Mourinho supposedly a big fan of the former Benfica shot-stopper.
Closer to home, Chelsea are also looking at raiding Brighton again to solve their goalkeeper issues. The Blues are said to have an interest in Bart Verbruggen, though the competition is likely to be aplenty.
Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League
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Now, a new name. Alan Nixon reports on his Patreon that Chelsea want to raid Sunderland for their lofty goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who has made a stellar start in the Premier League since joining for £11.5m.
Nixon says Chelsea are leading the race for Sunderland’s Dutch stopper, but they will have to fork out a whopping £50m to land his signature. Double the amount that Chelsea paid to sign Sanchez, at £25m.
How Roefs and Sanchez compare in the Premier League
Goalkeepers can be compared on clean sheets, on the goals they’ve conceded but ultimately, the comparison is not always fair. There is always one stat, however, that serves as a fair marker for stoppers.
The save percentage stat. So far, Roefs is third-best in the Premier League, stopping a remarkable 71.1% of shots he’s faced. Emi Martinez and Donnarumma sit ahead of Roefs, with Martinez boasting 77.3%.
Robin Roefs or Robert Sanchez – who would you rather in goal for Chelsea?
Roefs is valued at £50m 💵
But what is more surprising, perhaps, is that Sanchez is in fourth place on 70.8%. Only the top five, with Jordan Pickford in fifth, have saved over 70% of shots faced. Perhaps, Sanchez deserves more credit.
It also begs the question, do Chelsea need to go and spend £50m on a new goalkeeper when actually, the difference between Roefs and Sanchez is minute? Sanchez might even be better with his feet, too.
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