Chelsea will hope to end their four-match losing run when they host Football League side Port Vale in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Blues have lost their last four matches across all competitions and have lost ground in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League, as well as suffering a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Head coach Liam Rosenior finds himself under pressure to improve his side’s form, and the visit of League One strugglers Port Vale could be a good opportunity to do exactly that.
In the meantime, it has emerged that Chelsea have identified a Serie A star as a transfer target as they look to address one particular problem area in Rosenior’s squad.
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, via SportWitness, Chelsea are interested in Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar as they assess possible replacements for Robert Sanchez.
The goalkeeping department has become something of a problem area for the Blues in recent seasons, with the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Sanchez all having struggled to maintain their best form at Stamford Bridge.
Svilar has attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League (Photo: Sipa US/Alamy)
Sanches joined Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023 and has since kept 32 clean sheets in 102 games for the club, but he has made a number of high profile errors.
Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea’s other senior ‘keeper, has also struggled this term, and it appears that those in charge of the club’s recruitment are keen to act.
Svilar, meanwhile, has built a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the Italian top flight since joining Roma from Portuguese outfit Benfica in 2022.
The Serbian has made 125 appearances for Roma across all competitions, conceding 124 goals and keeping 46 clean sheets.
Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Newcastle United, are also said to be interested in the Serbia international, who has previously been watched by scouts from Manchester United.