Chelsea change transfer plans after Enzo Maresca makes decision on £25,000,000 signing

Chelsea have made a decision in the last 24 hours to pursue the signing of a new goalkeeper.

Enzo Maresca was appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor earlier this summer, but it wasn’t until last week that we was able to begin work on the training ground an run the rule of the players he has inherited.

Chelsea spent £25 million on Robert Sanchez 12 months ago but the Spain international has done little to suggest he is capable of being the club’s long-term No.1.

That said, Maresca is understood to have seen enough in training over the course of the last few days to suggest he will start the upcoming season as his first choice between the posts.

According to the Telegraph, however, the Blues will now press ahead with a plan to sign another goalkeeper who is capable of competing with Sanchez for the No.1 position.

Maresca, in common with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, wants his goalkeeper to be comfortable in possession and capable of playing line-breaking passes.

Those specifications mean the future of Djordje Petrovicis now uncertain. The 24-year-old showed flashes of promise when he took over from Sanchez, due to injury, midway through last season.

And though the Serbia international is highly regarded, there is a concern that there is too big a gap in quality between him and Sanchez should Maresca want to make a change.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin, but he appears a poor fit for the demands Maresca is likely to place on his goalkeeper.

The Blues also want to sign a new striker and a right-footed winger to help bolster their forward line.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Fulham’s ex-Manchester United star Andreas Pereira but those reports are understood to be wide of the mark.