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Chelsea launch €50m bid for Premier League star to challenge Robert Sanchez
News
Chelsea are looking to enter the market for a new goalkeeper after being left unconvinced by first-choice Robert Sanchez this season.
The Southwest Londoners are looking to go back to the same club they signed Sanchez from — Brighton — to sign the Seagull’s starting ‘keeper, Bart Verbruggen, according to TeamTalk.
Sanchez is on pace to post a new personal best in clean sheets since he joined Chelsea, and his goal prevention numbers are slightly better than Verbruggen’s.
Current ETV
Bart Verbruggen
GK
Brighton
Bart Verbruggen
GK
Brighton
ETV Range
€42M - €51.4M
But the Spain international has had lapses of judgement in big moments, which has caused Chelsea co-sporting director Paul Winstanley to approve the pursuit of another option between the sticks.
Sanchez’s ability in big games still a doubt
Sanchez particularly struggled in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg, as he misplayed crosses and made two errors leading to goals. He has not been credited with any errors that led to goals in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has kept nine clean sheets in 25 appearances, and he kept 10 clean sheets in 32 matches last season.
That is a big increase from his three clean sheets in 16 league games in his first season at the club, 2023/24.
Current ETV
Robert Sánchez
GK
Chelsea
Robert Sánchez
GK
Chelsea
ETV Range
€23.3M - €28.5M
Verbruggen has fewer shutouts than Sanchez this season with five, but he has not been sent off this season. That said, the Dutchman has committed a foul leading to a penalty this year, while Sanchez has not.
Sanchez has held clean sheets against Barcelona, Tottenham, and Benfica, but he has also allowed multiple goals against the likes of West Ham, Fulham, and on two occasions, Leeds.
Sanchez had a moment of infamy in the sixth minute of Chelsea’s away match against Man Utd in the Premier League.
Man Utd goalkeeper played a long ball to Benjamin Sesko, which sent Bryan Mbeumo in behind the Chelsea back line. Sanchez, on the edge of his penalty area, took a couple of steps out as Mbeumo flicked the ball past him, and the ‘keeper could only make contact with the Man Utd attacker’s legs.
He was sent off, leaving his team to play 85 minutes with 10 men, although a red card for Man Utd’s Casemiro on the cusp of halftime leveled the playing field for the second half. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat for Chelsea.
Sanchez has put in his fair share of good performances for Chelsea, but the fact upper management are pursuing Verbruggen shows they think he has too many low moments to carry on as the undisputed starter.
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