Chelsea consider loan move to sign German goalkeeper as replacement for Robert Sanchez: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a loan move for German shotstopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in a bid to provide competition for Robert Sanchez in goal.

Ter Stegen, who is currently on Barcelona’s books, is yet to play a match for the Catalan club this season, having been on the sidelines since undergoing back surgery earlier in the summer.

Prior to the operation, the 33-year-old had found himself fallen down the pecking order in Hansi Flick’s squad. Furthermore, things appear to have gone south between Ter Stegen and Barcelona, with the goalie allegedly refusing to sign the authrorisation that would have allowed the club to submit his medical report to LaLiga back in August.

Elsewhere, Sanchez, Chelsea’s custodian, has continued to see his performances come under intense scrutiny amid a series high-profile errors.

According to Sky Sport CH, Chelsea are considering a loan deal for Ter Stegen as they continue to seek an experienced goalkeeper who will provide competition between the sticks. The report also added that the Blues have AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan on their radar, as they believe the duo would be a ‘significant improvement’ over Sanchez.

Chelsea have had a longstanding interest in Maignan and came close to signing him before the Club World Cup. However, a potential deal for the Frenchman fell through due to AC Milan’s valuation being more than what the west London club offered.

Manager Enzo Maresca has rotated his goalkeeping options between Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen this season, but the former has enjoyed the lion’s share of minutes. Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 for a reported fee of €23 million, and his current deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2030.

When Enzo Maresca cast uncertainty over Robert Sanchez’s long-term future at Chelsea

While Sanchez has continued to retain his position as Chelsea’s no. 1, his error-prone displays have often been a topic of public discussion. Enzo Maresca has constantly expressed concerns over this and, at times, even punished him for it.

Earlier this year, Maresca admitted that he was unsure whether Sanchez would continue as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the near future. The Italian said in a press conference in January:

"For sure, that is not very good for his confidence, but also Robert is a professional who has to learn to deal with that kind of moment. It's experience for him. He has to improve also to deal with that kind of moment during a game at home where the fans, for any reason, are not happy. He has to manage that moment.

"I didn't speak with Robert. I consider that kind of moment part of our job. You have to learn that you have to deal with that. It's already happened in the past with Robert, and he did quite well. He's getting better, but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be.

"I'm not thinking about the seasons coming. I'm thinking about this season. For this season? No doubt [Sanchez will keep his place]. But then in the future, we don't know. It is not only about Robert. It is not even about me, you know? I'm focused on this moment, this season. Since we started, Robert is getting better, but he is still far, far, far from where I want him to be."

Sanchez has made 11 appearances for Chelsea this season and has kept five clean sheets.