Chelsea’s summer rebuild under new head coach Enzo Maresca is well underway, but according to former Blues defender Scott Minto, there’s still one glaring area of concern: the goalkeeper position.
Despite a failed £15 million bid for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, Minto insists Chelsea must not walk away from the deal—and should instead meet Milan’s £25 million valuation for the French international.
“They still need a new goalkeeper, in my opinion,” Minto told talkSPORT. “They have allegedly ended their pursuit of Mike Maignan, but I would be very surprised if that was the case.”
Chelsea’s reported stance is that they’re satisfied with their current goalkeeping options—namely Robert Sánchez and Filip Jorgensen. But Minto doesn’t buy it.
He further stated: “Maresca has come out and said they are happy with the keepers they’ve got — you’re not! If you were chasing Maignan and Milan had given you the price you wanted, then you would have brought him in, so clearly you’re not happy with your goalkeepers.”
There’s no denying the improvements Robert Sánchez made throughout the season. His composure and decision-making showed signs of progress under pressure. Still, Minto remains unconvinced that he—or anyone currently at Cobham—is ready to anchor a title-winning team.
He stated: “As much as Sanchez has improved and he’s not messing around at the back so much, for me he’s still not a goalkeeper that will take Chelsea to a Premier League or Champions League title.”
That’s a big claim—but one that echoes a sentiment many fans and pundits have voiced all season.
With one of the youngest squads in Premier League history, Chelsea finished last season brimming with potential, but lacking the seasoned experience that often separates contenders from pretenders.
“I want to see Chelsea buy a ready-made goalkeeper, centre-half and centre-forward, ready-made senior pros,” Minto emphasised.
“Chelsea had the youngest average starting 11 by 18 months per person in the Premier League last season, and the youngest average 11 ever in the history of the Premier League. So they need some experience. It can make a big difference.”
Maignan, 29 and in his prime, fits that bill perfectly. A serial winner with Lille and AC Milan, he brings leadership, composure, and a commanding presence that could steady a Chelsea backline still finding its voice.
In a league where tight margins often decide outcomes, Minto highlighted just how vital the goalkeeper position can be.
He concluded: “The goalkeeper role is so underrated, it really is, it’s so important. You win games in both boxes. With a top-class goalkeeper and a top-class striker. Chelsea keep buying youth, but now they need a sprinkling of senior pros in the squad and Mike Maignan would be the one.”
It’s hard to argue with Minto’s assessment. While Chelsea’s long-term youth-focused strategy may pay dividends in the years to come, immediate success still requires a spine of elite, experienced talent.
With Champions League football back on the agenda and expectations rising at Stamford Bridge, now is not the time to cut corners—especially not on a player of Maignan’s calibre.