“He is not that guy” – Mikel calls on Chelsea to sell player who started vs Flamengo | OneFootball

John Obi Mikel has urged Chelsea to sign a top goalkeeper as he once again criticised Robert Sanchez following the defeat to Flamengo.

Chelsea slipped to a damaging 3-1 defeat against their Brazilian counterparts despite taking a first half lead through Pedro Neto.

However, the Blues collapsed in six second half minutes as they conceded twice, before Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a horrific challenge just four minutes after coming on as substitute.

Mikel urges Chelsea to replace Sanchez

There have been question marks surrounding Sanchez since he arrived from Brighton in 2023, and despite showing he’s a good shot stopper, the Spaniard isn’t good with the ball at his feet and makes costly errors.

No keeper made more errors leading to goals in the league than Sanchez last season, but with Djorjde Petrovic set to be sold despite excelling at Strasbourg it looks like the 27-year-old is set to be number one again.

Mikel has called on Chelsea to replace Sanchez. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Sanchez didn’t have a particularly bad game against Flamengo, but after the match Mikel insisted the Blues need a top keeper if they are to win the title.

“I don’t think Robert Sanchez is the goalkeeper that can lead Chelsea to winning titles,” he told DAZN as quoted by BBC Sport.

“He is not that guy. They need to bring in a top, top goalkeeper this summer if they want to compete.”

Sanchez, who kept ten clean sheets in 32 Premier League appearances last season, wasn’t the only player Mikel criticised as he also expressed concern for Cole Palmer.

Chelsea to go back in for Mike Maignan?

The Blues had identified AC Milan’s Mike Maignan as the keeper they wanted to bring in and made an approach to the Italian giants earlier this month.

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However, Chelsea weren’t prepared to pay more than £12.6m with Milan wanting between £20-£25m for the France international.

It’s been reported Chelsea will only go back in for Maignan if the asking price drops, whilst they could look to sign him on a free transfer in 2026.