Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly admitted that first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has significant room for improvement, describing him as “far from where I want him to be.”

Since Maresca’s appointment in the summer, Sanchez has reclaimed the starting role between the sticks, but his performances this season have been inconsistent.

The 27-year-old has made four errors leading to goals in the Premier League, a statistic only Ipswich Town’s Arijanet Muric has surpassed.

Sanchez’s most recent blunder came during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolves on Monday when a dropped ball allowed the visitors to equalize in the first half. The Stamford Bridge crowd voiced their frustration, jeering Sanchez in the second half.

Despite standing by Sanchez for now, Maresca expressed concern over his keeper’s form. “He’s getting better, but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be,” the Italian coach remarked ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Manchester City.

When asked whether Sanchez would remain first-choice next season, Maresca was noncommittal. “I’m not thinking about future seasons, only this one. For now? No doubt. Beyond that? We’ll see. It’s not just about Robert; it’s about everyone, including me,” he said.

Addressing the impact of fan jeers on Sanchez’s confidence, Maresca noted that it’s part of the professional game. “It’s not good for his confidence, but Robert has to learn to handle moments like that. These situations are part of our job, and he has to manage them,” he explained. “It’s happened before, and he’s done well to recover.”

Chelsea is reportedly already exploring options for next season. Filip Jorgensen, who has mainly featured in cup games, could get an extended opportunity, while the club has also been linked with Parma’s highly-rated Zion Suzuki, valued at £40 million.