Despite constant backing of his goalkeepers in the media, it will be no secret to Enzo Maresca that it is a department Chelsea have not been good enough in this season.
Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have both been handed the chance to establish themselves as the number one at Stamford Bridge this season, although neither have impressed throughout this campaign.
Maresca praised Sanchez for his last performance against Arsenal, however Blues supporters were left frustrated particularly at the distribution of the Spaniard.
Chelsea fans will no doubt be frustrated at how well Djordje Petrovic is performing at Strasbourg, given he is on loan from them and was the number one for large portions of last season.
Petrovic is an option for the Blues next season, and youngster Mike Penders is also set to officially join the club after his signing was previously secured.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Reports have already stated that Penders is backing himself to be number one as soon as next season, and his recent form over in Belgium suggests that is a possibility.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has predicted to The Chelsea Chronicle that it is expected that it will be one of Petrovic or Penders who starts next season.
He said: “I don’t see either of them [Sanchez or Jorgensen] being number one at this point, especially Jorgensen flapping his audition to be number one. Maresca has given him a chance. I think to recall Sanchez shows where he might be in the pecking order right now.
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“Obviously Petrovic is doing well at Strasbourg. I think they will want Maresca to look at Penders and Petrovic, and will hope it is one of those two. Obviously Ben Roberts will be feeding into Maresca what he feels about them. Roberts clearly had a massive say in the Penders signing.
“Out of all four of them, I think it’s more likely Penders or Petrovic at this point will be number one next season. I think they’ll be given pre-season to battle it out, and clearly Chelsea will hope the amount of money they’ve spent that one of them will fit the system. If not, I don’t think they’ll have any qualms about taking another.”
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s thoughts on goalkeeper position
It seems as if Maresca is fed up with not having a goalkeeper who suits his style of play in West London.
It has been reported Maresca wants a new number one for next season, with the priority being having someone who is competent with the ball at their feet.
Petrovic’s passing has improved during his loan spell at Strasbourg, with that originally being one of the reasons he was allowed to leave for this season.
Either way, the future does not look bright for either Sanchez or Jorgensen, with it still unclear who is going to be in goal for the rest of this season.