Mark Schwarzer tells Chelsea they must replace starter if they want to win trophies

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Chelsea have been told there’s a key position they need to sign an upgrade for if they want to get back to winning trophies again.

It’s been a couple of seasons for Chelsea without any silverware, which has been pretty rare during the 21st century. However, this young and exciting Blues squad definitely looks like it’s on an upward curve.

Enzo Maresca has surprised plenty of people during his first few months as manager by sticking with a pretty consistent team in the Premier League. Interestingly, his side sit third in the division table during the November international break.

• READ MORE: Graham Potter really impressed with what Enzo Maresca has done with ‘amazing’ Chelsea player

Mark Schwarzer tells Chelsea they need upgrade on Robert Sanchez

Mark Schwarzer, the former Chelsea goalkeeper, has delivered a pretty damning verdict on Blues gloveman Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez, 26, has regained his position as Chelsea’s first-choice starting goalkeeper this season. He’s received some widespread criticism throughout the campaign so far for his inconsistent performances, though.

Schwarzer said on The Optus Sport Football Podcast (11th November): “I think David Raya is definitely a better goalkeeper than Robert Sanchez. I think for Chelsea going forward, if Chelsea want to compete at the very highest level and try and win silverware, I think they need another goalkeeper.

“I don’t think Robert Sanchez is the answer. I really don’t. Look, he has got every attribute that you need, but the problem he has got is he has got real inconsistency. An area where I thought he was really going to be good at in playing out, he really, really struggled.”

Similarly, John Obi Mikel has urged Chelsea to replace Sanchez in-between the sticks.

It does feel like the Spanish shot-stopper has a lot of work to do to win over his many doubters. For now, he should take encouragement from the fact he’s played every minute in the Premier League this season since Maresca became the head coach.

Chelsea insiders still think Sanchez can become one of the Premier League’s very best goalkeepers; this is despite all the individual errors he’s made this season.

Robert Sanchez going through up and down season

Unfortunately, Sanchez’s form of late in Chelsea colours has been a real mixture. It’s certainly not a trait that you want in your established goalkeeper.

Here is a look at his match ratings from the 2024/25 season in the Premier League:

Sanchez still has the opportunity to cement his future at Chelsea as long as he’s playing games, but how much longer will Maresca persist with him?

Maresca claimed a couple of weeks ago he’s sticking with Sanchez as Chelsea’s number one for now.