Enzo Maresca still has a goalkeeping situation to sort out.placeholder image
Enzo Maresca still has a goalkeeping situation to sort out. | Getty Images
Enzo Maresca is adamant he’s happy with his goalkeepers, but the Chelsea faithful remain unconvinced.
Chelsea picked up a point on the first day of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace and kept a clean sheet. Nonetheless, the same debate over the man in between the sticks rages on.
As expected, Robert Sanchez started the game and the Spaniard will feel that he did his job having kept the FA Cup and FA Community Shield winners at bay. However, it was a far from convincing performance.
The goalkeeper was saved from criticism thanks to a well struck Eberechi Eze free-kick being ruled out by VAR. The England international truly leathered the ball through the Chelsea defence but it could have been argued that Sanchez should have managed to get in the way of the strike.
Chelsea goalkeeper unconvincing despite clean sheet
At times, the 27-year-old’s distribution was careless and ended Blues moves before they even started. He was lucky not to be penalised late in the first half too, as the goalkeeper went to punch the ball but clobbered Marc Guehi as well.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has maintained that he is happy with the goalkeepers at his disposal with Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen number one and two. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic have both left Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Blues reportedly bid for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan before the Club World Cup. Speaking after that failed transfer, Maresca said: "The keeper situation is simple, Robert is No.1, Filip is No.2, and we will analyse and judge Penders. Maignan and different players at other clubs - I don't think it is worth talking about them."
After Sanchez’s performance against Crystal Palace, it’s clear that the goalkeeping debacle of last season has not magically disappeared. The Blues boss may try to sweep it under the rug, but Chelsea need a goalkeeper who can hold the position without constant scrutiny.
Chelsea should hijack Manchester City transfer
Premier League rivals Manchester City are about to sign someone who can do just that and Chelsea must consider a hijack. That is Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The goalkeeper has won Ligue 1 four times and got his hands on the Champions League this year. He won the Euros with Italy in 2020 and was named the Player of the Tournament for that competition. There’s simply no debating his quality.
Manchester City are well on the way to signing the player. On Saturday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media platform X: “Éderson doesn’t play today as Man City are in advanced talks with Galatasaray. Éderson wants the move and Gala sent €10m official bid to Manchester City… asking for higher fee. Negotiations are progressing.”
However, Chelsea can still hold hope of storming in on the transfer. Earlier this week, Metro reported that the Blues continue to be linked with a move for the shot-stopper alongside Manchester United with a £40 million fee touted. It was added that the PSG man was ‘very interested’ in a move to Stamford Bridge and luring the goalkeeper could be a season-defining move.
In other news, Chelsea Player Ratings: 'Terrier' 8/10 but 'passenger' 5 against Crystal Palace.
Continue Reading