Enzo Maresca makes major Chelsea goalkeeper decisions as Bayern Munich clash looms
Enzo Maresca has decided which of his goalkeepers will play against Bayern Munich in the Champions League while also revealing his thoughts on who could rotate in goal in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea‘s goalkeeping situation was the subject of intense speculation early in the summer window after Robert Sanchez struggled to impress throughout last season as Enzo Maresca’s first-choice in the position.
Sanchez was hounded by Chelsea fans as he struggled and committed a series of high-profile errors throughout the last campaign, and so Maresca was believed to be looking to sign a new keeper as reports of Chelsea’s interest in Mike Maignan emerged ahead of the Club World Cup.
That move never materialised, while Djordje Petrovic sealed a move to Bournemouth, and so the Blues were left with a first-team trio of Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Gaga Slonina were left at Maresca’s disposal for 2025-26.
The Spaniard has started in each of the Blues’ first four league games this season, and it has now been revealed whether he will also be handed a chance in the Champions League after Jorgensen was trusted to play in all-but-one of their Conference League games last term.
Robert Sanchez to start against Bayern Munich with Filip Jorgensen in line for more league chances
Sanchez has kept two clean sheets and conceded three goals in his four league appearances so far this season, while enjoying a much better and more stable start compared to his 2024-25 woes.
Ahead of their first Champions League clash of the season against Bayern Munich on Wednesday (17 September), Chelsea boss Maresca spoke to the media about his plan for his goalkeepers going forward and revealed that Sanchez will start at the Allianz Arena despite Jorgensen being his go-to keeper in Europe last season.
Despite his UCL snub, Jorgensen is set to be given chances to play for the Blues this season in various competitions, according to his boss, including the Premier League after he featured in just six top-flight games in 2024-25.
Chelsea should have signed Mike Maignan to play over Sanchez and Jorgensen
Given that Chelsea have spent insane amounts of money in nearly every area of their squad in recent times, it does come as somewhat of a surprise to think that Sanchez is still their number one following his struggles.
The need to have a top keeper to compete for the top prizes has never been more obvious, with the likes of Alisson, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ederson all being some of the best in the position over the last few years and each helping their current or previous clubs to titles as a result.
| Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| 65 | 75 | 20 |
France international Maignan is up there with some of the best in the world inbetween the sticks, and signing him would have boosted Chelsea’s chances of silverware on all fronts this season.
His move to Stamford Bridge fell through [Daily Mail] as a fee couldn’t be agreed with AC Milan, but even though Sanchez has been better so far this term, Chelsea may well regret not pursuing Maignan if he makes more mistakes akin to the last campaign.