Chelsea already have ‘next Thibaut Courtois’ on their books to replace Robert Sanchez

Robert Sanchez’s future as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper has been questioned following his performance against Arsenal.

The Spaniard made a number of errors with the ball at his feet and many felt he should have prevented Jurrien Timber’s winner in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat.

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Despite a marked improvement from Sanchez this season, the former Brighton man has never truly convinced Chelsea fans that he is the long-term answer between the sticks.

In what is now his third season as the club’s No.1 – his error-strewn display at the Emirates was all-too familiar after the previous two campaigns.

“I’ve not seen that performance from Sanchez with the ball at his feet for probably about a year now,” ex-Blues defender Jason Cundy said on our Inside Chelsea show.

“I feel for Sanchez, because clearly he’s been asked by Liam Rosenior to draw Arsenal onto us. And the problem he’s got is his brain doesn’t think like a natural footballer.

“There’s an urgency… There’s a calculator in your head. If someone’s closing you down, you will know the point you’ve got to release it before they can come and get it.

“He doesn’t have that instinct when the ball’s at his feet. He doesn’t operate like an outfield player. He’s asked to make the riskiest passes, and you’re asking the worst player technically in the squad to make the riskiest passes.”

Alongside Cundy on the panel, Chelsea broadcasters Kweku Afari and Matisse Armani were keen to point out that, despite the narratives, Sanchez has been one of the club’s highest-performing players this season.

“He’s been so good,” Matisse said. “I almost want to give him a bit of a pass.

“There’s so many games this defence have cost him from getting the clean sheets that he should have got.”

He added: “Regardless of this game, he is in player of the year contention.”

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The next Thibault Courtois ready and waiting?

Despite links with Premier League goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen and Robin Roefs, it is entirely possible Chelsea have already signed their future replacement for Sanchez.

Mike Penders is on the Blues’ books following a £17million deal with Genk in 2024.

Having stayed in the Belgian Pro League for the 2024/25 campaign, the 20-year-old giant is currently on loan from Chelsea at French club Strasbourg – Blues manager Rosenior’s former club.

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Standing at a massive 6ft 7ins, Penders has been compared to ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, not least for his size and nationality, but also his pathway to Stamford Bridge.

When his name was brought up on the Inside Chelsea show, Kweku said: “What we’ve seen from Rosenior is that he values loyalty. He values players that he knows he can trust.

“He talked about trust after the draw against Burnley. That’s why we’ve seen Andre Santos start games in midfield.

“He’s played under Rosenior before at Strasbourg. That’s why we saw Mamadou Sarr’s debut against Chelsea – he played under Rosenior.

“And with Penders having played under Rosenior at Strasbourg, in the back of my head, I think that might be the natural next step.”

However, Matisse pointed to Courtois’ experience at the highest level with Atletico Madrid before he stepped up as Chelsea’s first-choice keeper, arguing Penders must protected from a baptism of fire.

“That’s the kind of loan that guarantees the guy’s ready,” Matisse said.

“When he comes to Chelsea, he comes in, steps in, and he can come and help us win titles.

“Because that’s where Chelsea should be trying to get to. The goalkeeper that comes in for Chelsea should be helping us win titles.”

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