Published 24 minutes ago on January 31, 2025, by Destiny Omodion
Chelsea is reassessing their goalkeeping situation following several costly errors from their current first-choice keeper, Robert Sanchez. While manager Enzo Maresca has publicly backed the Spanish goalkeeper, the club is closely monitoring Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel as a potential replacement.
Kobel, a 27-year-old Swiss international, has caught Chelsea’s eye due to his qualities aligning with the club’s goalkeeper requirements. However, Dortmund is not open to offers at the moment, especially with their Champions League campaign still ongoing. Their recent 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk secured a spot in the play-off round, where they’ll face either Sporting CP or Club Brugge for a chance to progress.
Although Dortmund is currently resistant to negotiations, the situation could change by summer, with potential competition from Manchester United. The Red Devils have been tracking Kobel due to concerns over Andre Onana’s inconsistent form. However, with Onana showing improvement and Manchester United having other pressing squad issues, Chelsea remains in a strong position should Dortmund decide to entertain offers.
Chelsea has already secured the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders from Genk, who will join the club in the summer. Additionally, Filip Jorgensen has been pushing for more playing time, but Maresca continues to place his trust in Sanchez.
After Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City, Maresca reiterated his confidence in Sanchez while recognizing the need for improvement. He said, “We trust Robert, but he knows he’s making mistakes. We’ll continue to support him, and with a full week before our next match, we’ll assess how he responds before making any decisions.”
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Sanchez remains Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper or if the club moves to secure a new number one.
