Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation is once again under the spotlight, with Robert Sánchez facing fresh scrutiny after his costly red card against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Spaniard has shown flashes of quality since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but doubts remain over whether he has the consistency required to be the long-term No.1 for a club with Chelsea’s ambitions.
maresca reaction to bozo sanchez pic.twitter.com/nlngiF98Ia
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 20, 2025
Sánchez Under Pressure
While Sánchez has been solid in spells, errors continue to creep into his game. Against United, his rash challenge in the fifth minute left Chelsea a man down and effectively handed the momentum to Ruben Amorim’s side. It was a reminder that while he can look assured in four out of five games, the fifth mistake can prove disastrous.
For Chelsea, competing at the top level demands a goalkeeper who is reliable every single week. The pressure is mounting on the club to reassess their options.
Donnarumma and Maignan Links
Chelsea were reportedly close to moving for a goalkeeper in the summer, but ultimately stuck with Sánchez. According to the Express, Gianluigi Donnarumma was considered, and his display for Manchester City in their draw against Arsenal underlined why he remains one of the best in the world.
Enzo Maresca is also said to be an admirer of AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, whose future is far from certain with contract talks in Italy yet to reach an agreement. Maignan’s shot-stopping ability combined with his confidence in playing out from the back make him an ideal fit for Maresca’s tactical philosophy.
🚨 AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is back on Chelsea's transfer agenda following Robert Sánchez's performance against Manchester United.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 22, 2025
He's free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January as his current deal expires next summer.
(Source: Daily Express) pic.twitter.com/9usnt0DuPZ
Bigger Questions at Chelsea
However, the debate over Sánchez is part of a wider issue at Stamford Bridge. Critics argue that Chelsea’s recruitment strategy has often been reactive rather than proactive. The club’s focus on long-term planning has left gaps in key areas — an injured centre-back wasn’t replaced in the summer, and a striker was allowed to leave late in the window despite fitness concerns elsewhere in the squad.
It’s an approach that many feel prioritises future potential at the expense of present success. The Club World Cup triumph may have masked some of the deeper problems, but with top four far from guaranteed despite heavy spending, patience among fans is running thin.
What Next?
If Sánchez continues to be error-prone, Chelsea will have no choice but to revisit the goalkeeper market. Donnarumma and Maignan are both world-class options who could transform the position, but whether Chelsea act decisively will depend on results in the months ahead.
For now, Sánchez remains the man in possession — but the pressure is growing.
