Chelsea admit mistake as Maresca places star on transfer list

Chelsea have reportedly decided to sell Robert Sanchez in 2026 to fund a move for a high-quality replacement.

Sanchez, 27, has struggled since arriving at Stamford Bridge two years ago, but he has retained his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout his spell in west London.

The Spaniard made the most errors leading directly to a goal of any goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, however Chelsea chose to keep faith in the 27-year-old this year following his form at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Sanchez enjoyed a brilliant tournament in the United States of America and Chelsea subsequently opted against bringing in a new goalkeeper, despite submitting several bids for AC Milan superstar Mike Maignan during the June transfer window.

The Blues ultimately decided that Maignan’s €30 million price tag was too steep for a player with only one year remaining on his contract and Sanchez was selected as their number one goalkeeper ahead of the 2025-26 season.

However, he has endured a difficult start to the new campaign and he was sent off during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last weekend after wiping out Red Devils attacker Bryan Mbeumo in the fifth minute.

Sanchez has been widely slammed following the incident and Chelsea have now decided to place him on the transfer list, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes.

Chelsea eye Robert Sanchez replacement

Chelsea have reportedly accepted that retaining Sanchez as their first-choice goalkeeper was an error and they are keen to rectify this mistake by landing the aforementioned Maignan on a Bosman deal in 2026.

Talented youngster Mike Penders is also an option available to Chelsea, and reports speculate that his form on loan at Strasbourg is being closely monitored by the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

However, it appears as though Chelsea have acknowledged that Sanchez is not the long-term solution to their goalkeeper woes and they are expected to dip back into the market to sign a replacement next year.

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