While debate has surrounded Chelsea’s goalkeeping choices in recent years, new statistics suggest there’s little reason for concern among fans. Since Edouard Mendy exited the club for Al-Ahli in 2023, opinions have varied on who should be the mainstay between the posts. Under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Robert Sanchez has been given the starting role, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic sent out on loan.
Sanchez, a 27-year-old from Spain, has faced scrutiny from some sections of the fanbase. In the current Premier League campaign, he has been responsible for five errors directly leading to goals – the most in the division. Despite this, global rankings offer a more favorable picture of his contributions.
According to the CIES Football Observatory Index, which evaluates shot-stoppers based on match difficulty, team results, and save performance versus expected figures, Chelsea boasts a strong presence. The club has three goalkeepers listed among the top 20 worldwide.
Sanchez holds the sixth position overall and is the second-best in England’s top flight, with only Brentford’s Mark Flekken rated higher among Premier League peers. The data considers performances over the past year, requiring at least 20 domestic league appearances.
Djordje Petrovic, currently on loan at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, has also impressed. The Serbian international, who featured 31 times for Chelsea last season, is ranked 11th with a score of 82.1. His solid displays in France could earn him another opportunity at Stamford Bridge when he returns.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71m transfer from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, is now with Bournemouth on a temporary deal. The 30-year-old is placed 17th in the same ranking, with a score of 80.8, rounding out Chelsea’s trio in the elite list.
Leading the index is Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris St-Germain, followed by Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer and Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid. The list, which includes the top 100 goalkeepers across global leagues, offers reassurance to Chelsea supporters – their club remains well-equipped in a position often under the spotlight.
