TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent believes Chelsea would be making the right decision if they sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

English tabloid The Sun reported earlier this week that the Blues are contemplating a £35m bid for the Republic of Ireland international and Bent claims he would be an upgrade on the club’s current No.1 Robert Sanchez:

“Kelleher is now a very good goalkeeper He’s 25, it’s time now, let’s get going now. I think there’s an opportunity there. I’m not convinced on [Robert] Sanchez, if I’m honest.”

“He makes some unbelievable saves, but him (Kelleher) going in there at £35m, that’s not even a risk.”

Comparing Sanchez and Kelleher

Despite Bent’s claim that the Irishman is a much better keeper than Chelsea’s current first-choice, that is not really borne out in the numbers this season.

Sanchez’s save ratio is 79.6% which is the second-best in the Premier League (with another Liverpool keeper Alisson the only one ahead of him). Kelleher’s ratio (77.8%) is very respectable too but it doesn’t beat Sanchez.

When we look at more advanced metrics, things are more even, with Kelleher conceding 1.2 fewer goals than his post-shot xG suggests, while Sanchez’s figure is 0.8. Based on the stats, there is actually not much between them.

Maresca is set to keep faith with his No.1 when Chelsea play Leicester

Like Bent, many supporters have been left unconvinced by Sanchez’s form over the course of the campaign despite what the numbers tell us. Some are hoping for summer signing Filip Jorgensen to be given a run in the team to show what he can do.

However, head coach Enzo Maresca is unlikely to change his goalkeeper when the Blues travel to the King Power this weekend. Read our predicted lineup for the match here.

Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here