Chelsea fans, buckle up! Gregor Kobel is also on his way into the Stamford Bridge revolving door for goalkeepers, with Borussia Dortmund keeper among the options. Should you think that Robert Sanchez represented long-term promise for Chelsea, you might be in for a surprise. The Blues are rumored to be eyeing up a swoop for Kobel, a giant Swiss shot-stopper potentially able to provide stability, as well as style, to Chelsea’s goal.
So why all of this sudden interest in Kobel? What does this also mean for Sanchez’s future? New down here.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeping Dilemma: Is Robert Sanchez the Right Fit?
It seemed a sensible move when Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton. For goodness’ sake, the Spaniard was a Premier League player and had a touch about him when it came to saving a match. Sure, things are right—but let’s be real, he’s made some costly blunders that would have fans yelling at their screens (and scaring their pets).
I mean, Sanchez was able to fend off competition from Dorde Petrovic and retain his spot this season. However, even with the arrival of £20m Filip Jorgensen, his performances haven’t exactly been ones to inspire confidence. With Chelsea’s interest in Gregor Kobel, a goalkeeper who has been surprisingly good in Germany.
Why Gregor Kobel? The Swiss Giant Chelsea Needs
Before him was a towering 6ft 5in man, Gregor Kobel, who is no goalkeeper but turned out to be a fortress. He’s made 136 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Stuttgart in 2021 and played a part in it picking up the Bundesliga Team of the Season accolade on two occasions. And did I mention he is Switzerland’s first-choice goalkeeper? Yann Sommer hung up his gloves recently.
Dortmund’s woes have been taken over by Kobel, who has been the club’s standout performer. With Dortmund at risk of missing out on the Champions League next season, Kobel will be tempted by the bright lights of London.
According to reports, Chelsea puts the price of him at around €70m-80m (£58-66m). It’s a hefty price tag, sure, but Chelsea’s a club that’s given us more than a few of so, the Kepa for £72m aside.
Robert Sanchez’s Time Running Out? Jamie Carragher Thinks So
Jamie Carragher hasn’t been afraid to criticize Sanchez if there’s one person who hasn’t. Back in October, the ex-Liverpool defender made his feelings clear on The Overlap:
Probably while shaking his head and sipping his tea, Carragher said, “I just can’t see Robert Sanchez lifting the Premier League trophy.”
And he’s not wrong. Chelsea’s thorn in the side has been Sanchez, who has flashed brilliance but inconsistency. It’s about getting the defense right and correcting it because if the Blues want to challenge for titles again, moving to the goalkeeper position makes sense.
Why Gregor Kobel Would Fit Perfectly at Chelsea
Chelsea fans know a thing or two about world-class goalkeepers. It’s true the club has trusted custodians in Chelski’s past, with Petr Čech and Thibaut Courtois being their most recent. The next name on that list may be Gregor Kobel.
Here’s why he fits the bill:
Experience: Kobel is familiar with playing at the highest level in Germany. He knows the responsibility that comes with playing at that level when pressure is on.
Physical Presence: He intimidates the penalty area like a general, being 6 ft 5 in tall.
Consistency: Unlike Sanchez, Kobel has demonstrated himself to be a reliable shot-stopper.
Plus, we all know Chelsea fans need a goalkeeper they can trust in crunch moments. We need to get the days of heart-stopping errors behind us.
My Two Cents: Why Chelsea Should Seal the Deal
That’s where my opinion comes in, now, here. If I were on the Chelsea board (I wish), I’d be signing that Kobel check as fast as ‘Champions League qualification’ can be spoken.
Chelsea needs good, and Sanchez might be good, but good isn’t good enough at Chelsea. The Blues need to be great. Kobel’s heavyweight status and resume—he played for the U.S. in the recent qualifiers. These are strong reasons to have him under his belt at a post that has hung one seriously spinning around these past couple of years.
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