Chelsea should have signed a £26million Manchester City player who is ‘the best in the world’, says club legend John Obi Mikel.
It was another busy summer transfer window for Chelsea who spent over £284million on 10 players as they look to build on their Club World Club triumph and challenge for the Premier League trophy.
The Blues strengthened in all areas of the pitch except in the goalkeeper department where Robert Sanchez remains No.1, supported by Filip Jorgensen.
Despite his heroics at the Club World Cup and strong start to the new season, conceding just one goal in three games, Sanchez is often picked out as the weak-link in Enzo Maresca’s side.
Obi Mikel previously stated that the Spaniard ‘definitely won’t win Chelsea trophies’, and while that stance may have softened, he believes Maresca missed on the chance to sign ‘the best goalkeeper in the world’ over the summer.
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‘I thought we could have gone out and brought in another top goalkeeper,’ the former midfielder said on The Obi One Podcast.
‘There was a certain goalkeeper that was available in the market, the best goalkeeper in the world: [Gianluigi] Donnarumma. He could have just gone out and got him for £26million.
’26-years-old. Mind-blowing. I don’t understand why the club didn’t go out and get him. He is one of the best goalkeepers right now in the world.
‘I know a lot of people say he’s not so good with his feet, but what’s the goalkeeper’s job? Keep the ball out of the net and Donnarumma is the best at doing that. So, I don’t understand why the club didn’t do that.
‘But again, Enzo Maresca thinks he’s comfortable with Sanchez. So, we have to support the manager in his decisions.
‘But I just thought we could have gone out and just strengthened that position and bring in a competition with Sanchez. And I thought Donnarumma would have been that guy.’
Despite winning the treble with PSG last season, Donnarumma was made available for a transfer and it was rumoured that he was interested in moving to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United were also linked with the Italy captain, but in the end he joined Man City for just £26m – a bargain given his best in the world status – though some have questioned whether he suited to the Citizens.
‘How is he going to fit in this Manchester City side because we all know that Pep Guardiola goalkeepers have to be able to play in the midfield as well,’ Obi Mikel added.
‘I wonder how Donnarumma is going to do that because we all know he’s not the best with his feet. But doing what he has to do, which is keeping the ball out of the back of his net, shot stopper, he’s the best.
‘So, I wonder how he’s going to fit in with this Pep Guardiola side. Is this Pep Guardiola now trying to change the way he plays? I don’t know. But let’s wait and see.’
Donnarumma could make his City debut in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while Sanchez is set to start Chelsea’s trip to Brentford on Saturday night.
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