New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes he can get the best out of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, according to The Athletic.
The Blues are reportedly not planning on signing another goalkeeper this summer after fans questioned their options between the sticks.
Chelsea signed Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion for £25 million last summer, but he failed to live up to expectations.
After suffering an injury in December, fellow summer signing Djordje Petrovic took Sanchez’s place in the starting line-up.
However, following a decent start to life as first-choice, Petrovic began to stutter. He ended the season with an awful record of -8.3 prevented goals (Sanchez recorded -0.22).
Petrovic also came under fire for his poor ball distribution, leading to calls for Sanchez to retake his position.
Maresca reportedly believes he can get the best out of Sanchez’s ball-playing ability, but can he address his error-prone tendencies and mediocre shot-stopping?
Chelsea must target a goalkeeper this summer
The Blues desperately need a new shot-stopper this transfer window but must be wary of blowing their budget on one.
They must also work within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints.
Chelsea must find a cost-effective goalie with impressive handling and excellent ball distribution numbers.
Targeting big-money options like Mike Maignan and Gregor Kobel may not be the wisest course of action.
The Blues need shrewd additions like Las Palmas’ Alvaro Valles, who was linked with a move to London over the weekend.
Valles, who is not great on crosses, has the best passing numbers amongst La Liga goalkeepers and boasts the second-best goals prevented number in the Spanish top flight (6.63).
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was not good with crosses at first but improved massively in London. The same is possible for Valles, who is valued at around £3m.
Another smart option for the Blues is Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento Krepski.
The 24-year-old Brazil international is recognised as the best goalkeeper in the Brasileiro Serie A and earns top marks for his ball distribution.
