Chelsea’s season under manager Enzo Maresca has seen positive developments, with the team showing encouraging signs of progress in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. After an underwhelming start, where Chelsea found themselves in 11th place after the first ten matches with just 12 points, the team has made a noticeable leap, climbing to 4th place with 18 points. While they have not yet established themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title, especially when compared to more established powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool, Chelsea’s overall trajectory has been one of improvement.
Under Maresca, Chelsea has adopted a more youthful and dynamic approach to their play, and the early signs suggest that, with time, the squad could evolve into genuine title challengers. However, pundit Robbie Savage believes that for Chelsea to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title in the near future, they will need to make several key positional upgrades, particularly in the goalkeeper position. In his view, the current goalkeeper situation, which sees Robert Sanchez as the first-choice, could be holding the team back from reaching its full potential.
Savage, a former Premier League player, has been vocal about his concerns regarding Sanchez’s performances in recent weeks. While the £25 million investment in Sanchez, who joined from Brighton after falling down the pecking order at the Seagulls, was initially seen as a solid acquisition, Savage argues that the goalkeeper has not been consistent enough to be a reliable option for a team with championship aspirations. He describes Sanchez as a “seven out of 10” goalkeeper, suggesting that while the Spanish shot-stopper has shown flashes of competence, he is not the level of player Chelsea need between the posts if they are to challenge for major honors.
Savage’s criticisms are not without merit. One of the most glaring examples of Sanchez’s struggles came during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season. In that match, Chelsea’s defensive errors were compounded by poor goalkeeping, with Sanchez caught out of position on multiple occasions. His failure to command his box and deal with crosses effectively allowed Liverpool to capitalize on Chelsea’s defensive frailties. The performance highlighted Sanchez’s ongoing issues with positioning and decision-making, raising questions over whether he has the mental sharpness and consistency required for a team with serious title ambitions.
Furthermore, Savage pointed to another costly mistake in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, where Sanchez conceded a penalty under pressure. This moment again highlighted concerns about his ability to maintain composure in high-stakes situations and his overall reliability as a Premier League goalkeeper. While Sanchez has shown some promise at times, these types of errors are difficult to overlook when Chelsea’s aspirations include competing at the top of the Premier League and in European competitions.
Savage’s assessment raises important questions about Chelsea’s strategy in the transfer market. While many expect Chelsea to invest heavily in reinforcements to address other areas of need, such as central defense or attacking options, the goalkeeping position also warrants attention. For a club with aspirations of returning to the summit of English football, settling for a goalkeeper who is only “good enough” is unlikely to be sufficient.
However, Savage also acknowledges that Chelsea might not need to splash out on another expensive goalkeeper. The club could look at a more sustainable approach, focusing on developing the goalkeeping talent already within their ranks. Chelsea has a rich tradition of nurturing young players, and there are promising prospects within the club’s academy who could be given a chance to step up. If Chelsea can find a way to promote internal talent and develop a top-class goalkeeper from within, it could not only save the club money but also create a stronger, more cohesive squad for the future.
In addition to the goalkeeper position, Savage suggests that Chelsea must also look at strengthening other areas of the squad if they are to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal for the Premier League title. While Chelsea’s attacking options, including players like Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, and the emerging Cole Palmer, have shown flashes of brilliance, the team still needs a more settled and experienced spine to truly challenge for the top honors. In midfield and defense, further upgrades may be necessary to ensure the squad has the balance and depth to compete at the highest level consistently.
Despite these concerns, there is no doubt that Chelsea is moving in the right direction under Maresca. The team’s improved form in the current season suggests that they are slowly building the foundations for future success. Maresca’s tactical approach, combined with the club’s young talent, is showing signs of promise. With more time to develop chemistry and cohesion, Chelsea has the potential to become a genuine contender for both the Premier League and European titles.
Ultimately, Robbie Savage’s warning about the goalkeeper position is a crucial one. While Chelsea’s squad has the potential to be competitive in the long term, the club cannot afford to ignore key weaknesses, particularly in goal, if they are to challenge for major honors in the near future. If Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s owner, continues to back Maresca and provide the necessary resources for targeted upgrades, there is optimism that Chelsea could evolve into a serious title contender in the coming seasons. But as Savage rightly points out, if Chelsea continues to rely on players who aren’t up to the required standard—particularly in key positions like goalkeeper—those hopes of challenging for the Premier League title will remain distant
