Sanchez upgrade alert – Chelsea want to sign £58m star who’d be their best since Courtois
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Since Thibaut Courtois’ departure in 2018 for Real Madrid in a £35 million move, Chelsea has faced an ongoing challenge in finding a consistent, top-quality number one goalkeeper. During his time at Chelsea, Courtois made 154 appearances, allowing just 152 goals and achieving 58 clean sheets.
In response to Courtois’ exit, Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for a record £71.6 million, setting a new benchmark for the most expensive goalkeeper. Kepa went on to make 163 appearances for Chelsea, conceding 175 goals and securing 59 clean sheets. The closest Chelsea has come to truly replacing Courtois is with Edouard Mendy, who joined from Rennes in 2020 for approximately £22 million. Mendy quickly established himself as a strong presence in goal, keeping 49 clean sheets across 105 games and playing a crucial role in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League victory.
Yet, in modern football, goalkeepers are tasked with much more than stopping shots—they’re expected to aid in build-up play, distribute with accuracy, and manage possession under pressure. This evolution in the role might prompt Chelsea to enter the transfer market again in search of a keeper who can both defend the goal and contribute to the team’s playmaking.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeper Search and Interest in Diogo Costa
Reports from CaughtOffside reveal that Chelsea has its eye on Porto’s Diogo Costa. However, Chelsea may face stiff competition, as Bayern Munich is also rumored to be interested in Costa as a successor to Manuel Neuer, who is contemplating retirement at season’s end.
Costa has amassed 167 appearances for Porto, conceding 142 goals while achieving an impressive 71 clean sheets. Portugal’s number one with 31 caps, Costa would cost Chelsea around £58 million. With his ability to combine elite shot-stopping with composure and skill on the ball, he could provide the long-term solution Chelsea has sought since Courtois’ departure.
Comparing Robert Sanchez and Diogo Costa
Chelsea acquired Robert Sanchez from Brighton in 2023 for about £25 million, yet he lost his starting role last season after a string of errors led to goals. Mauricio Pochettino eventually chose Djordje Petrovic as his preferred keeper. However, with Enzo Maresca now at the helm, Sanchez has regained his starting role, as Maresca values his calmness with the ball and ability to contribute to the team’s build-up play.
While Sanchez has notable strengths, Costa stands out in several areas. Costa has a higher clean sheet rate, fewer goals conceded per match, and better passing accuracy. Though Sanchez does make more saves per 90 minutes, this is largely because Chelsea faces an average of 5.22 shots per game compared to Porto’s 2.81 shots against Costa.
One area where Sanchez has the edge is in aerial dominance, thanks to his 6’5” frame, which allows him to claim crosses effectively. Costa, at 6’1”, tends to stay closer to his line, relying on quick reflexes to handle incoming shots. Despite being shorter than Sanchez and Courtois, Costa’s strong technical skills could make him an excellent fit for Chelsea, especially if they prioritize building from the back and need a goalkeeper who can instill confidence in defenders.
The Need for a Consistent Solution
The goalkeeper position has been a challenging area for Chelsea in recent years, with no long-term successor for Courtois. However, Diogo Costa’s all-around abilities and modern playstyle could make him the long-awaited answer to Chelsea’s goalkeeper woes.
