Paul Merson argues that Chelsea’s approach to player acquisitions hinders their ability to secure a top-notch goalkeeper.
Robert Sanchez faced scrutiny once again as Chelsea fell 2-1 to Manchester United on Saturday Night Football, pushing them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool.
The goalkeeper was dismissed just five minutes into the match for a foul on Bryan Mbeumo, complicating Chelsea’s efforts at Old Trafford.
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On Super Sunday, Sky Sports‘ Jamie Carragher stated that Chelsea cannot win the Premier League with their current goalkeeping and defensive lineup, while questioning their lack of upgrades in those positions despite significant spending.
Chelsea previously showed interest in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan last summer but refrained from meeting the Serie A club’s asking price for the French international. Additionally, Djordje Petrovic left Chelsea for Bournemouth for £25 million in July.
Merson, during his discussion on Sky Sports, contended that Chelsea is not constructing a squad capable of winning the Premier League and criticized their failure to acquire a new goalkeeper.
Read on for Merson’s complete thoughts…
‘Chelsea have missed a trick not buying a goalkeeper’
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Merson emphasized that Chelsea’s current framework discourages significant investment in seasoned goalkeepers.
They typically target younger talents to develop and eventually sell at a profit, which rarely applies to goalkeepers. According to him, the team has overlooked acquiring a goalkeeper who can secure vital points.
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Although Robert Sanchez exhibits excellent shot-stopping ability, Merson pointed out that his decision-making is questionable, often resulting in mistakes. Top goalkeepers set themselves apart by minimizing errors—something Sanchez struggles with.
‘No club has won anything without a top goalkeeper’
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Merson emphasizes that no club has succeeded without a top goalkeeper, noting that it’s uncommon to see successful teams with weak links in their goalkeeping department.
He added that Chelsea adheres to a specific model for recruiting players.
Merson notes that Chelsea’s transfer strategy aims for young players who can be sold for a profit. However, this approach is misaligned for goalkeepers, as the market dynamics differ significantly.
With the current focus on securing a top-four finish for Champions League qualification, Merson still sees Chelsea competing among the top five teams but doubts their ability to mount a title challenge this season.
‘Maresca made strange decisions at United’
The match against Manchester United raised eyebrows due to unusual tactical choices.
Sanchez’s red card was particularly notable; he mishandled a rainy pitch situation, leading to a crucial blunder.
Merson also questioned some of the managerial decisions, particularly the unexpected substitution of Pedro Neto. He argued Neto’s pace and skill should keep him on the field to make the most of Chelsea’s chances.
‘It’s been a stop-start beginning to season for Blues’
Cole Palmer discusses tactics with Enzo Maresca following Sanchez’s sending off.
Chelsea’s season has started off inconsistently, and while some praised their performance against Bayern Munich, there are concerns regarding their ability to dominate matches.
With upcoming fixtures proving pivotal, Chelsea’s next match against Brighton, a team that has historically performed well against them, will be crucial as players look to secure moves in the January window.