Chelsea drew 1-1 with Manchester United yesterday, but the result could have been so much better.
The Blues took on a really vulnerable Red Devils team in the middle of a manager change following the sacking of Erik Ten Hag. But instead of taking advantage, the Blues let United into the game by not creating enough in the first half in attack.
Then to start the second half they made the worst error of all – letting the home team score. In large part the blame should go to Wesley Fofana, who misjudged his jump and left Rasmus Hojlund with a free run at goal.
But once again it was Robert Sanchez who made the crucial error, taking out the forward’s ankles even though he was moving away from goal and looked in a tricky position to beat the keeper had he just spread himself. It’s the latest frustrating mistake from the Spaniard, and its enough to send up back to the drawing board looking for options to upgrade in that position.
Costa is clear best option for instant Chelsea upgrade
To us there is one clear option Diogo Costa of Porto. Yes he’s going to be expensive, with CaughtOffside’s latest piece claiming a €70m fee would be needed, but he’s got all the quality and experience we’re looking for, plus the level of comfort with the ball at his feet which Sanchez and our other options simply don’t have.
After spending so much on other goalkeepers, especially young talents like Mike Penders, we can imagine the sporting directors could be a little reluctant to spend big. But the brutal truth is that this team can’t afford to wait a couple of years to see how young talents in goal develop when our current options are costing us points on a regular basis.
I admit I’m not 100% convinced that we have the world class quality we need at centre back to play Maresca’s style effectively, but it will be impossible to know for sure until we put a world class keeper behind them. Sanchez is definitely NOT that player and his poor decision-making has to be considered a contributing factor in at least some of the shakiness we see out of Fofana and Colwill. We will never win trophies with a keeper of Sanchez’s mediocrity ans our #1. We’ve spent big at nearly every other position. Time to bring in a top keeper who can help bring confidence and organization to a young defence.