Who are the two Yashin Trophy-nominated keepers Chelsea should consider signing this summer? Ex-Blues star urges club to bring in a 'proven winner'
Published 10/08/2025 at 09:10 GMT+1
Chelsea are having another active summer in the transfer market, as Enzo Maresca looks to compile a squad worthy of challenging on multiple fronts in 2025/26. One area yet to see much churn is the goalkeeping ranks, with Djordje Petrovic leaving to Bournemouth, but no glovemen yet brought in. A Blues legend thinks, however, that moves should be made, naming two Yashin Trophy-nominated targets.
Chelsea urged to bring in 'ready-made' keeper with two big stars named
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Should Chelsea go out and buy a "ready-made" goalkeeper in what remains of the transfer window?
That is an option suggested by club legend Joe Cole, as The Blues continue their remarkable summer of ins and outs.
In through the Cobham door have come the likes of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Estevao, with Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and - reportedly - Nicolas Jackson among those going the other way.
The goalkeeping position was one common discussion area among fans last term, before Robert Sanchez turned in his performance for the ages in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, saving all that came his way and distributing expertly under duress.
So did the Spaniard's display nip that topic in the bud, or should it still be addressed?
Speaking to TNT Sports on how he has seen Chelsea's summer evolution under Enzo Maresca, Cole said: "The fact that they are back up into Champions League football, I think shows we're on the right path.
"So I think they will continue with what the plan is at the moment, buying young players and trying to get in line with Financial Fair Play while still improving, and then we'll see whether they change course.
"For instance, I'd like to see us go and buy a ready-made goalkeeper who we know can come in and, you know, forget sell-on value or developing players; that's what I think is needed now.
"I think the goalkeepers there are really, really good, but the goalkeepers in the club now will have to step up to the next level, which is possible if they can do, the right ways and [with] the right mindset.
"Or, if you don't believe that, go and buy an [Emi] Martinez from Villa or, you know, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma's got a year [left on his Paris Saint-Germain contract].
"Someone who's a proven winner who can help the group."
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Watch PSG hero Donnarumma's best saves from both semi-final legs against Arsenal
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Demon Donnarumma
A deep dive into the respective numbers from those three goalkeepers - Sanchez, Martinez and Donnarumma - throws up an interesting comparison.
From league data taken over the last two seasons, it is clear how Donnarumma is a level above.
The Italian's save percentage is the highest at 75.5%, he concedes the lowest number of goals from xG on target, and he also prevents the highest number of goals.
| GK | Martinez | Donnarumma | Sanchez |
| Save % | 67.4 | 75.5 | 71.2 |
| xG on target conceded | 1.42 | 1.12 | 1.26 |
| Goals prevented | 0.13 | 0.17 | 0.03 |
Data: Opta
Does that make him the solution, and would it be the right move for him?
The view from Europe
For answers to that and more, we checked in with our Eurosport colleagues in, first, France, and then Italy.
"Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," says Julien Pereira of Eurosport France.
"He was certainly the best last season, particularly in the Champions League. So, whichever club signs him this summer would definitely be doing a good move.
"There are two small doubts: even though he has improved in many aspects of the game (particularly set-pieces), he probably won't ever be a top goalkeeper when it comes to playing with his feet. I get the impression that this is still an important criterion at Chelsea.
"Secondly, his salary is very high - but this may not be a major obstacle.
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Highlights: Liverpool crash out of Europe as Donnarumma heroics send PSG through
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"For the player, it could be a good thing to leave PSG now, because he'll probably never do better than he did last season."
Meanwhile, Simone Pace of Eurosport Italy sees the move as a "great solution" for Donnarumma, who has seen Lille's Lucas Chevalier arrive into the keeping ranks at PSG.
"With Donnarumma, Chelsea would probably acquire the best goalkeeper in the world [or one of the best] and would raise the quality in that role," Pace says.
"Also for Donnarumma, Chelsea would be a great solution: he would continue to play for a top club, and this would be good news for Italian football and for the national team."
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