Robert Sanchez has an uncertain future at Chelsea after struggling for fitness and form in his debut season. The 26-year-old has spent the last two months on the treatment table and is now behind Djordje Petrovic in the pecking order.
Miguel Angel de Miguel Casas of Fichajes says Mauricio Pochettino wants to sell Sanchez and reinvest the money on a replacement. Chelsea believe Diogo Costa would be a brilliant successor for the Spanish international, but he won’t come cheap.
Who is Costa?
The 24-year-old rose through the youth ranks to Porto’s first-team in 2019 and has made 141 appearances in all competitions. Costa has conceded 118 goals with 59 clean sheets, so it’s easy to see why Chelsea are keen. He’s been Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2022, so he has international pedigree.
Costa has conceded 27 goals from 32 games this season, keeping 12 clean sheets, so he’s been in good form. The 24-year-old was rumoured to be leaving Porto in 2023, but he ended up staying and seems happy in Portugal. Costa has won two league titles and four domestic cups at Porto, so he’s a key player.
Porto have a £65m release clause on Costa’s head, so Chelsea would have to pay a lofty sum to sign him. Todd Boehly has changed his policy to sell-to-buy, so Chelsea might have to generate their own transfer funds.
What is the likelihood of Sanchez being replaced?
Even if Sanchez has fallen out of favour at Chelsea due to injury, there’s no guarantee he’ll be sold. Clubs may not be queueing up for a goalkeeper that’s been injured for two months.
Chelsea may not want to keep changing their first-team ever transfer window too, as players can struggle to settle. Sanchez may be out of favour to Djordje Petrovic, but the Blues could keep him in the squad regardless.
Boehly has spent £1bn on new signings since 2022, so he might refrain from sanctioning a £65m transfer for Costa.
Chelsea have made wholesale changes to the squad every year, so they need to slow down for cohesion’s sake.
In other news, Kepa Arrizabalaga has uncertain future at Chelsea and Real Madrid
