Chelsea's Goalkeeping Landscape

Chelsea's goalkeeping scenario has been a hot topic among fans, especially since Edouard Mendy's departure to Al-Ahli in 2023. The debate over who should guard the Blues' net has been intense, with Enzo Maresca this season placing his trust in Robert Sanchez, sending Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic on loan.

Robert Sanchez's Performance

Despite some criticism from fans, particularly regarding his five errors leading to goals this Premier League season, Sanchez has proven his mettle. According to the CIES Football Observatory Index, which evaluates the top 100 goalkeepers worldwide, Sanchez ranks sixth. He is the second-highest Premier League goalkeeper, trailing only Brentford's Mark Flekken.

CIES Methodology

The CIES Football Observatory uses a comprehensive methodology that considers the level of games played, match results, and the deviation in the percentage of saves at the domestic league level compared to the expected value. This rigorous analysis places Sanchez among the elite.

Chelsea's Goalkeeping Options

Maresca has additional strong options. Djordje Petrovic, currently playing at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, is ranked 11th with a score of 82.1. Petrovic, who played 31 times for Chelsea last season, is showcasing his skills in France. Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world's most expensive goalkeeper, is also in the top 20, ranked 17th with a score of 80.8.

Global Rankings

The CIES index includes goalkeepers who have played a minimum of 20 league matches over the past 365 days. Paris St-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma tops the list, followed by Inter Milan's Yann Sommer and Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois.

Conclusion

With Sanchez's impressive ranking and the potential return of Petrovic and Kepa, Chelsea's goalkeeping future looks secure. The data underscores the depth and quality of the Blues' options between the posts.