Mark Schwarzer says he would not be surprised if Chelsea pursued a deal for James Trafford in the January window to replace the ‘inconsistent’ Robert Sanchez.
Trafford returned to Manchester City in the summer from Burnley and looked poised to replace Ederson as the club’s first-choice keeper after the Brazilian’s move to Fenerbahce.
However, those hopes were dealt a blow when City completed a deadline day move for Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Euro 2024 champion joining after being frozen out at Paris Saint-Germain.
Trafford started the first three Premier League games of the season, but has made just three appearances in cup competitions since the end of August.
Reports suggest that Trafford has already grown frustrated with his lack of game time and is keen to explore a move in January to bolster his chances of making England’s World Cup squad.
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And ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Schwarzer believes his former side could capitalise on the situation and bring the talented Englishman to Stamford Bridge to bolster their goalkeeping options.
‘James Trafford for Chelsea? You can’t write anything off,’ he told Joe Fortune.
‘I think the thing for Trafford is, I think I’ve met him once or twice, but I think if I were going to give him advice between now and the end of the season with a World Cup around the corner, wherever he goes, he has to make sure he’s playing.
‘He’s got to go to a club where they are signing him as the number one. And of course, he’s got to perform.
‘I think he needs to find a club, even if it’s on loan, between now and the end of the season where he’s going to play week in, week out and prove what a good goalkeeper he is.’
Despite improved performances so far this campaign, question marks still linger over Chelsea’s first-choice Robert Sanchez, who signed from Brighton for £25million in 2023.
And Schwarzer fears that the Spaniard will never be the consistent prescence between the sticks that Chelsea need if they are to contend for and win major trophies in the coming years.
‘The problem is his consistency,’ the Australian began. ‘When you’re at a big club, you need consistency. Look at Manchester United and Andre Onana, Man City and Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in and what he’s done already.
‘I will say for Robert Sanchez, I think in the last six months, has improved dramatically. He hasn’t made as many mistakes as he had done previously.
‘I think he’s made some big saves. The Club World Cup final, I think for me, was by far the best game he’s ever played for Chelsea. I think obviously there’s still some way to go.
‘I think playing out from the back, with his feet at times, he’s been caught out. He’s made some poor decisions with his distribution. It’s tried to call them out this season as well. So that’s something that he still needs to very much work on and improve upon.
‘I think for a club that are going to win things, I know they won the Conference League last season, not that Robert Sanchez played in those competitions, and they won the Club World Cup, but I think consistently, if you’re in the Champions League, you want to win the Premier League, you’re going to have to have a top, top-class goalkeeper.’
Schwarzer continued: ‘I just don’t feel like he’s at that level. Look, there’s a chance that he can get there, but I think he’s still got some way to go.
‘And of course, when you’ve had a pretty average start at the club, even if you play well for the next six months, the minute you make another mistake, people straight away get on your back.
‘I’ve noticed it with Robert Sanchez, the minute he makes a poor decision with his distribution, fans are on his back and it’s because he’s done it too often, I think, in a Chelsea shirt.
‘That’s been one of the problems and it’s been a position that I think so many people have thought that Chelsea would look to strengthen every transfer window, and they haven’t.’
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