Emmanuel Petit has warned Robert Sanchez his days at Chelsea are numbered and the club have more than likely already secured his replacement.
The Spain international joined the Blues from Brighton two-and-a-half years ago in a £25million fee.
Sanchez initially struggled to assert himself as the club’s No.1 and spent periods out of the team with the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Djordje Petrovic and Filip Jörgensen all handed opportunities to stake a claim.
The 28-year-old appears to have won the battle to become Enzo Maresca’s first choice and is currently enjoying his best run of form in a Chelsea shirt.
Another clean sheet in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Bourmemouth means Sanchez is currently leading the race to win this season’s Gold Glove awards.
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Former Chelsea star Petit, however, believes his long-term future is less than secure and Mike Penders, currentlyon loan at Strasbourg, is being lined up to succeed him.
‘For me, the main problem is not actually Robert Sanchez, Petit told Snabbare.
‘Even though he can do amazing things and then he can make very bad mistakes in the following game. But since his red card against Manchester United, I think he has been doing well.
‘We are not focused on him anymore, which is a good reason to keep him as a goalkeeper.
‘However, he probably knows that his days are numbered at Chelsea. At the end of the season, I’m pretty sure that Chelsea will try to find another goalkeeper, probably Mike Penders at Strasbourg, for example.
‘We’re not sure yet, but actually, they are more focused on improving the number nine position.
‘They have been dealing with this position for years and years. I don’t know how many strikers have come and gone at Chelsea.
‘This has probably been the most difficult position at Chelsea for years now. It would be interesting to see how many strikers have come and gone.
‘It’s amazing how much money they spent on strikers, just like how much money they spent on wingers as well.’
