Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet has suggested that Robert Sanchez isn’t responsible for some of the mistakes he’s made and deserves a chance. 

The Blues’ goalkeeper has been subject to reports suggesting that Chelsea are to sign a goalkeeper to replace him in the summer transfer window.

Several names have been touted to replace the Spaniard including Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale and Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.

Sanchez has made 28 appearances for Enzo Maresca‘s side this season, conceding 33 goals and keeping seven clean sheets. He joined at Stamford Bridge from Brighton in August 2023 for a fee of £19.6 million, however after a mistake-prone season, many have suggested that Chelsea will move on from him this summer.

However, former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet believes that the criticism for Sanchez in unwarranted, and many of the mistakes are not his fault. He told Chelsea News exclusively via Discasino: “I like him and I think he’s very strong.

“The problem is that when you play the way Chelsea play, it’s very risky and you can make a mistake at any time, and that then maybe influences his performances.

“It’s not easy when the keeper not only has to save, but also be a sweeper, has to play the ball and take risks, so whatever mistake he makes, it looks like he’s responsible.”

Poyet believes that Sanchez can’t win whether he plays the ball long down the field or out from the back, as he will get criticised either way.

“If you play it long; ‘ah look, now he’s not playing’, or if you play it from the back, people say ‘why’s he not playing it long’. I think for what you need now, Sanchez is okay. It’s a question for Maresca, I know he’s not going to answer it now because he needs to wait until the summer. But I like him [Sanchez].”

Which keeper are Chelsea most likely to sign?

Out of the three that have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, there is no current frontrunner with who the Blues are most likely to spend on this summer, however, one option will likely be cheaper than the others.

Seeing as Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League has already been confirmed, Aaron Ramsdale’s price will likely drop as he will be in the Championship next season.

He joined the Saints from Arsenal for a fee of just £20m, and his value is expected to be lower than that this summer, so he could cost as little as £15m, meaning Chelsea could get themselves a bargain.

Click here to see Chelsea’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season.