In his debut season at Chelsea, Enzo Maresca has seen both encouraging signs and setbacks, as inconsistency continues to plague his side.
However, the Blues do currently sit in 4th position, on course for a return to the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca’s side’s defensive record has seen a massive upturn in recent weeks, conceding just one goal in their past five league games.
However, despite this, Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has come under heavy criticism for his performances this season.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel questioned the Spaniard’s credentials on the Obi One Podcast earlier this season.
He said: “He’s not a top keeper, what I keep saying is players who are good enough to win the league with and he’s not that keeper.”
So with Sanchez seemingly not the man for the Blues, Maresca may have to turn his attention to another goalkeeper already in Chelsea’s ranks.
Djordje Petrovic could be Chelsea’s number one
Djordje Petrovic has shone on loan at Strasbourg this season, helping the French club push to 4th in the Ligue 1 table, an unprecedented high for the club.
According to WhoScored, the Serbian has been the highest-rated goalkeeper in Ligue 1 this season with an average match rating of 7.07, beating the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brice Samba.
He has made zero errors leading to goals this season, compared to Sanchez who has made five, the joint-most of any player in the Premier League.
The Serbian also boasts the third-highest number of clean sheets in Ligue 1 with 9 whilst his save success rate of 76.2% is the highest of any keeper in the French top flight this season.
Petrovic has already made 31 appearances for Chelsea with 23 of those coming in the Premier League, but is he now ready to establish himself as the club’s number one?
Enzo Maresca ‘concerned’ by goalkeeper situation
Chelsea are certainly well-stocked in their goalkeeper department.
The Blues have Filip Jorgensen and Marcus Bettinelli as their number second and third-choice keepers, respectively.
However, they have a host of shot-stoppers out on loan as well: Petrovic, Gabriel Slonina, Kepa Arrizabalaga – who has shone at Bournemouth this season – and Mike Penders, whom they signed for £17m last summer.
Despite the vast options, Maresca is still unsatisfied with the goalkeeper situation.
After a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa earlier in the season, a match in which Jorgensen’s late error gifted Villa the win, the Chelsea boss was asked about the club’s goalkeeping situation and admitted:
“Even when we were winning games, I was concerned. Now, for sure.
“The problem with that, with goalkeepers, it is a delicate position and when they make a mistake, everyone can see.
“Unfortunately today, our goalkeeper made a mistake. This is a moment we need to support each other and try to stay strong.”
The post Enzo Maresca’s goalkeeping concerns could be fixed by Chelsea loanee, he could save Todd Boehly millions – opinion appeared first on HITC.
