Former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara has labeled Chelsea’s £25m goalkeeper Robert Sanchez a “massive problem,” emphasizing that the Spaniard could cost the club its ambitions of competing for top honors.
Sanchez, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton in 2023, has faced growing criticism despite Chelsea’s solid form under manager Enzo Maresca.
Speaking on talkSPORT after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City, O’Hara pointed out Sanchez’s struggles as a key issue. “Chelsea are looking good, you know,” he remarked.
“They’re still a bit shaky at the back. Sanchez, the goalkeeper, is a massive problem. He’s terrible. But with the talent across the squad and players like Nicolas Jackson delivering consistently, they’re not far from competing at the very top.”
O’Hara further stressed that title-winning teams rely on elite goalkeepers and urged Chelsea to address this issue in the January transfer window. “Teams that win leagues don’t have bad goalkeepers. Chelsea must find a top goalkeeper. It’s a tough market, but Sanchez is clearly not the answer,” he added.
Sanchez’s form has also drawn criticism from former Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit, who believes the Spaniard lacks the quality needed for major success.
Petit commented, “Robert Sanchez has made too many mistakes to be trusted. A strong spine is essential for trophy-winning teams, and Sanchez isn’t among the league’s best goalkeepers.”
The Blues’ goalkeeper situation has been a recurring challenge. Serbian shot-stopper Dorde Petrovic was previously given opportunities but was relegated to the bench under Maresca, later being loaned to Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s win against Leicester City showcased the team’s attacking strength, with Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scoring decisive goals. Reflecting on the match, Maresca acknowledged areas for improvement despite the win.
“For the first 30 minutes, we controlled the game, but mistakes crept in later. This is a lesson for the players that they must stay focused for the full 90 minutes,” he noted.
Chelsea fans and pundits alike are now watching closely to see if the club acts to address their goalkeeper concerns in the upcoming transfer window.