Chelsea continue to make moves in the transfer window as they work towards the ideal squad to begin the season with.
Enzo Maresca will be looking to carry on the momentum from their Club World Cup win and start the new season strong. Chelsea were formidable in the first half of the 24/25 campaign, sitting in second at Christmas and looking like legitimate contenders.
The form would drop off, but adding the successes of the summer, it’s clear the Blues are in a good position to compete at the very top level, with a young squad bound to improve.
But last season was not all positive, and concerns over one player’s fit in the starting XI cast doubt over his future at the club. However, a recent loan deal may have solidified his place in the team for at least another 12 months.
Mike Penders’ loan move gives Robert Sanchez breathing room
Robert Sanchez had a fantastic campaign at the Club World Cup, looking reliable between the sticks and putting on an incredible goalkeeping performance against PSG in the final.
But outside of a solid run of form in the summer, Sanchez has been viewed as replaceable. Reports suggest Chelsea saw Mike Maignan as a more desirable option, but talks never progressed between the two parties. Donnarumma has also been linked to Chelsea, though again, no concrete offer was made.
Monday morning brought good news for Sanchez, however, with Mike Penders being sent out on loan to RC Strasbourg for the season. Penders is rated extremely highly by Chelsea, and his presence at the club may have put some pressure on the Spaniard heading into the campaign.
If Chelsea planned to sign a world-class No. 1 this summer, you’d expect Sanchez to be sold and Penders kept. At 27, Sanchez is unlikely to accept a backup role during his prime.
But with the hype around Penders, the idea may be that he’ll be ready to replace Sanchez when he returns next summer.
The arguments for and against Chelsea sticking by Robert Sanchez
This is a question that has surely been doing the rounds at Stamford Bridge. Last season, Sanchez was a liability in big games, unsure with the ball at his feet and consistently flirting with disaster.
For Maresca, who wants to play the ball around, trusting a keeper who lacks the skills to play that style confidently is difficult.
One good tournament does not erase the regular poor showings last season, and it’s probably the biggest concern for many fans heading into the new campaign. That said, it is also an opportunity for Sanchez to prove the naysayers wrong.
Time will tell.
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