Petr Cech is a Chelsea legend. (Image: Getty)
What Chelsea fans wouldn’t do to have a prime back between the sticks right now. The club legend spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge, playing a pivotal role in four title wins and their 2012/13 glory.
He eventually left for , having made 494 club appearances, and his record of 24 clean sheets in the 20024/25 top-flight campaign remains a record in England.
Compare that with Robert Sanchez’s current form. He has made frequent mistakes in goal for ever since his £20million move from Brighton in August 2023 and is widely considered a weak link amid his side’s flailing top-four challenge.
The club resisted the temptation to bring in a new No.1 in the latest transfer window, with Sanchez set to keep fighting for his place this season with Filip Jorgensen. However, manager has now seemingly lost patience, with linked with another stopper currently hunting down Cech’s record.
Burnley’s James Trafford has reportedly caught the eye in the this season, having already kept 21 clean sheets in 30 league games. He’s just four away from surpassing the marker of the Czech Republic icon, albeit while playing in the second tier.
At 22, Trafford also represents a signing with long-term potential and would fit into ’s current model of bringing in players on long-term contracts. And according to , the Clarets are prepared to accept a bid of around £20m for the England under-21 international.
Robert Sanchez has been in poor form for Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
Trafford came through the youth system at and spent two years on the senior books. Loan moves to Accrington Stanley and Bolton followed, before signing for Burnley ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Despite the club being relegated from the Premier League in that campaign, the keeper impressed following his £15m move. And he hit the headlines last month after saving two penalties in a match against , during a run of six games without conceding a single goal.
Burnley currently occupy third spot in the Championship, and failure to win promotion would make the exit of Trafford almost inevitable. He would also save a considerable sum on another rumoured target, the £60m rated keeper Gregor Kobel.
Last month, Maresca admitted Sanchez was struggling for form but also defiantly claimed a rest might benefit the Spaniard by comparing him to PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “He was playing for Paris Saint-Germain but then for some games, Luis Enrique left him out,” he said.
“Now, he’s playing every game and doing well. Sometimes, for sure, it can be a solution but it doesn’t mean it is in Robert’s case.” But it’s clear an upgrade is needed and Trafford could be the long-term fix.