When Xabi Alonso takes office as Chelsea manager, the Spaniard will have plenty of decisions to make. One of those will be in goal, with Robert Sanchez currently first choice and Mike Penders returning.
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Alonso as the club’s next permanent manager on Sunday, with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager putting pen to paper on a four-year deal at Chelsea.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Xabi Alonso graphic
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Alonso has been named ‘manager’, instead of ‘head coach’. It is the first time that BlueCo have given the man in the dugout that title, with the previous four appointments all named as Chelsea’s head coach.
It signals the power Alonso has been given as Chelsea manager and that BlueCo are prepared to take a step back. One decision he will have to make, with that power, is who starts in goal for Chelsea next term.
Mike Penders or Robert Sanchez? Alonso to make a decision
It was quite clear during Liam Rosenior’s era as Chelsea manager that if Filip Jorgensen had remained injury-free, then the Danish goalkeeper would have been first choice. But Sanchez is the current no.1.
Real Madrid CF v Real Betis Balompie - LaLiga EA Sports
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The former Brighton goalkeeper has improved since the exit of Rosenior, impressing again at Wembley on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mike Penders will return to Chelsea this summer after a spell on loan at Strasbourg.
According to TalkSPORT, Jorgensen will not come into Alonso’s thinking. Instead, he will decide between the incoming Penders and the current no.1 Sanchez, over who is his man between the sticks next term.
The report does not suggest that Chelsea will make a new signing when it comes to a goalkeeper. That is despite other outlets suggesting a new shot-stopper will be a priority for Alonso come the summer.
Which goalkeepers have been linked with a move to Chelsea?
On Sunday, reports of Chelsea’s interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs re-emerged. Chelsea have been strongly linked with a £50m move for Roefs, but The Sun claims Liverpool are also showing interest.
Chelsea aren’t going to find a better goalkeeper on the market than Robert Sanchez…
Should have signed Mike Maignan when we had the chance!
David Raya tops clean sheet list since 2023/24 as Robert Sanchez makes top 10!
David Raya has kept at least 11 more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League since he joined Arsenal.
◉ 2023/24: 16
◉ 2024/25: 13
◉ 2025/26: 18
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Then there is Milan’s Mike Maignan, who has been linked with Chelsea for a while. The Frenchman signed a new deal recently, but Italian site Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Chelsea have kept tabs on the goalkeeper.
Plenty of others have been linked, too. Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is one linked with Chelsea since the winter window, as has Roma’s Mile Svilar. As things stand, Alonso will choose either Penders or Sanchez.
The report also indicates that Chelsea hope Penders can come in at Chelsea and have a similar impact to the one Senne Lammens has had at Manchester United, since his move from Antwerp this season.
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