Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph was a moment to savour – a crowning glory after a challenging season, and one player who stood out throughout the tournament was Robert Sanchez.
The Spanish shot-stopper kept three clean sheets in six appearances, including a commanding performance in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. His efforts earned him the Golden Glove award – a prestigious recognition of his impact on Chelsea’s global success.
But not everyone is convinced Sanchez should be the Blues’ undisputed No.1 heading into next season.
Speaking to DAZN, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel didn’t mince his words as he made a strong case for the club to bring in another top goalkeeper this summer – not necessarily to replace Sanchez outright, but to push him to a higher level.
“I still believe we do need a top, top goalkeeper,” Mikel stated.
“Robert Sanchez had a brilliant game today but going into the new season with the Champions League and the Premier League I think you still need another top goalkeeper that is going to come in and compete with him.”
It’s a brutally honest opinion that reflects both Mikel’s high standards and his experience of competing at the very top level with Chelsea during the club’s golden era. While many fans were quick to applaud Sanchez for stepping up on the world stage, Mikel’s comments add a layer of realism: the demands of a Premier League and Champions League campaign require not just quality, but depth.
The former midfielder underlined the importance of “healthy competition”, highlighting how new signings in other areas of the pitch could set the tone.
Mikel stated: “Healthy competition is important and we’ve seen that with the signing of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.”
Sanchez, to his credit, has bounced back from early season criticism and shown growing maturity in recent months. But Mikel’s call is a reminder that settling is not an option – especially at Chelsea, where the bar is always set at silverware.
So, while Robert Sanchez may have won the Golden Glove, he may still have to fight to hold onto the No.1 shirt. And if Mikel Obi gets his way, the battle for the goalkeeper gloves at Stamford Bridge is only just getting started.