Chelsea ready to trigger release clause of "under-rated" goalkeeper with just ONE error in the past FOUR years
- Barnaby Lane
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
It's no secret that Chelsea are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer after what has been a difficult season between the sticks for current number one, Robert Sánchez.
The Spaniard has made five errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season – a joint-high in the division alongside Ipswich Town’s Arijanet Muric – leading to widespread criticism from fans and former players, as well as Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
“He's getting better, but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be," Maresca said in January after yet another blunder in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Asked whether Sánchez can be Chelsea’s long-term number one, Maresca responded: “For this season? No doubt. But then in the future, we don't know.”
According to a new report from Tuttosport, it now appears Chelsea and Maresca have found their preferred replacement in Torino’s Vanja Milinković-Savić.
The Serbian shot-stopper, younger brother of Lazio legend Sergej Milinković-Savić, has emerged as a target for the Blues, with the club reportedly "having no problem" triggering his £16.7 million (€20 million) release clause this summer.
However, Chelsea could face competition from Manchester City, who are also in the market for a new goalkeeper.
Milinković-Savić, who was previously on Manchester United's books but never made a senior appearance, joined Torino in 2017 from Polish side Lechia Gdańsk.
Since then, he has made nearly 150 first-team appearances for the Granata, establishing himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable goalkeepers.
According to FotMob data, the Serbia international has made just one error leading to a goal since the start of the 2021-22 season. In comparison, Sánchez has made seven in the Premier League alone during that period.
Torino boss Paolo Vanoli has been full of praise for his number one, insisting he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
“I think Milinković-Savić is an underrated goalkeeper, and I told him that too,” Vanoli told DAZN in February, per Tutto Mercato Web. “Some of our work this season has been letting him realise his genuine potential. He is a goalkeeper who gives you many options too.”
One thing’s for sure – based on his statistics alone, he’d be a clear upgrade on Sánchez and a signing most Chelsea fans would welcome with open arms.
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