Former Liverpool and Everton stars tell Chelsea their biggest problem ahead of Newcastle United clash

Chelsea have been told where they must improve as the Blues prepare to face Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have been one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League since private equity firm Clearlake and US businessman Todd Boehly completed a takeover of the club in May 2022. Big-money deals for the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia, RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku and Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto have been completed over the time and that has left the Blues with one of the most expensively assembled squads in the Premier League.

A significant amount of money has also been spent on goalkeepers with Villarreal stopper Filip Jorgensen, Genk prospect Mike Penders, New England number one Djordje Petrovic and Brighton star Robert Sanchez all joining the Blues over the last two years. At present, it is the latter of that quartet that has been entrusted as first choice goalkeeper under new head coach Enzo Maresca and the twice-capped Spain international has gone on to keep two clean sheets in eight Premier League appearances during the first two months of the season.

However, despite his side showing some promising form in their first season under the former Leicester City head coach, Sanchez has been far from convincing and was criticised for his performance in Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has insisted the Blues will only become challengers for the Premier League title if they invest in another goalkeeper.

Speaking on Super Sunday after the game, the former Liverpool and England defender said: "It's so poor from Chelsea's point. Reece James ambles in there. The goalkeeper is so poor. It was a poor touch from Curtis Jones really, and it's poor from the goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez. Sanchez has got to go and win that ball. Jones should be terrified that a goalkeeper is coming towards him. You have got to get there and hope it hits you in the face and you keep it out. Chelsea need a new goalkeeper if they want to get back to where they want to be."

Former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was asked on NBC Sport’s coverage of the game if Chelsea needed a new goalkeeper and he agreed with Carragher, saying: “Yeah, oh yeah. I thought they were going to upgrade in the summer but they haven’t.”

Enzo Maresca viewpoint

Sanchez made three saves and had an 80 per cent pass accuracy from 36 attempted balls to teammates. His manager Enzo Maresca was quick to defend him after the game. As per LondonWorld, he said: "I'm very happy with Robert, he's doing fantastic with us. Not only in building from the back but also making saves." On the overall performance, the Chelsea boss added: “I think the performance was very good. You don’t like to lose games or drop points but if you have to choose the way to do it probably this is the way. I’ve been to this stadium many times and seen Liverpool for a long time. It’s not easy and I think overall we controlled the game, and for the most part we dominated. We lost and we are not happy but the performance on the ball and off the ball was very good…I’m relaxed. I’m not happy because we lost but I’m relaxed and I’m happy because of the performance of the team.”

The result leaves Chelsea three points adrift of the top four, after Aston Villa won 3-1 at Fulham on Saturday afternoon. Up next for the Blues is a trip to Panathinaikos before they host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge next weekend.