Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has voiced concerns over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, suggesting that Chelsea need to replace him if they are to be taken seriously as Premier League title contenders. Chelsea secured a 4-2 win against Brighton in their third consecutive league victory, but Sanchez’s performance raised questions.

Costly Errors from Sanchez

Sanchez was at fault for both of Brighton’s goals. First, he failed to claim a high ball, which allowed Georginio Rutter to head it home. Later, his poor pass was intercepted by Carlos Baleba, who scored Brighton’s second goal.

While Cole Palmer’s four-goal display ensured Chelsea’s win, Obi Mikel believes Sanchez’s errors could be a major issue moving forward. Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, the two-time Premier League winner expressed his concerns.

“He had a nightmare in the first half, responsible for both goals. That’s a concern, but apart from that, the team is looking very strong,” Mikel said. “In the two games before that, he performed well, but if you want to win the title, you need a top-class goalkeeper.”

Mikel’s View on Sanchez’s Future

Mikel went on to say that while Sanchez is a talented goalkeeper, he doesn’t yet possess the quality Chelsea needs to challenge for major titles.

“Let’s not kid ourselves; we don’t have a top, top goalkeeper. No disrespect to Sanchez—he’s fantastic, but we need someone world-class to compete,” Mikel added. “If Sanchez wants to reach that level, he needs to start delivering top performances. We know he’s not great with his feet, but the real issue is his decision-making in goal.”

Filip Jorgensen’s Potential to Step Up

Chelsea signed Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen in the summer, and he is set to make his case as the club’s first-choice keeper in Thursday’s Conference League match against Gent. However, manager Enzo Maresca has publicly backed Sanchez, emphasizing the importance of patience with his possession-heavy playing style.

“Filip has to perform well, not to put pressure on Robert, but because we need him to do well for the team,” Maresca said during a press conference. “Robert made a mistake, but it started with Malo [Gusto]. These things happen, and mistakes will be made.”

Maresca’s Defense of Sanchez

Maresca defended Sanchez, attributing the Brighton goals to team-wide errors rather than solely blaming the goalkeeper. “It’s not just Robert or Malo’s problem,” Maresca added. “Mistakes will happen. Filip doesn’t need to put pressure on Robert. We just need him to play a solid game because that’s what the team requires.”

As the season progresses, the competition between Sanchez and Jorgensen will likely intensify, but for now, Maresca remains committed to giving Sanchez time to settle into his role.