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News
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Chelsea ignore Enzo Maresca transfer advice as 2026 plan revealed
Cameron Smith
- 23 Sept 2025 16:00 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the form of Mike Penders at Strasbourg as they look for a long-term replacement for Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez, 27, was sent off during the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday evening and Enzo Maresca’s side have subsequently been urged to sign an upgrade in 2026.
Current ETV
Robert Sánchez
GK
Chelsea
Robert Sánchez
GK
Chelsea
ETV Range
€22.4M - €27.4M
The west London giants were heavily interested in a move for AC Milan star Mike Maignan this summer, however they ultimately decided against signing the France international after refusing to match his €30 million price tag.
Chelsea are expected to target Maignan on a Bosman deal next year, although TEAMtalk have confirmed that Penders could instead be chosen as the man to replace Sanchez at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old joined Chelsea from KRC Genk for €20m in 2024 and he was sent on loan to Strasbourg in July in order to improve his development at first-team level.
Penders has kept three clean sheets in six appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit and his form has already impressed the Chelsea hierarchy.
In fact, TEAMtalk state that Chelsea are determined to ensure the Belgian youngster is given a clear pathway to the first-team as he is seen as a possible solution to the club’s goalkeeper woes.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that several staff members at Chelsea, including Maresca, wanted the club to sign a new goalkeeper this summer. However, the recruitment team ultimately opted to ignore this advice in favour of retaining faith in Sanchez.
Chelsea need a new goalkeeper
Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea’s decision to avoid signing a new goalkeeper will cost them in the Premier League title race this season.
“I think the manager’s done a brilliant job since he’s been there,” the Liverpool legend told Sky Sports on Sunday. “He’s come in year one and got Champions League football, he’s done brilliantly to take PSG to the cleaners in the Club World Cup.
“My criticism of Chelsea is the actual three-and-a-half years as a club and how they can still have that team. We’re saying they’ve got no chance to win the league. And Chelsea fans know that.
“You go back to when Chelsea were winning the league, look at their goalies: Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. That tells you all you need to know.
“There’s nothing wrong with Maresca but after this time they’re going to Old Trafford with the goalkeeper and the centre-backs they’ve got. They can’t win the league in 100 years, with the standard of those players in those positions right now.”
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