Could the Blues be a genuine force again next season?

Could the Blues be a genuine force again next season?

Enzo Maresca was told to replace a Chelsea Club World Cup winner moments after the Blues beat PSG in the final.

Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, were the underdogs going into the final against a PSG team who won their first Champions League in May.

But the Blues caused a huge shock at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, storming to a 3-0 win thanks to three first-half goals.

Cole Palmer scored a quickfire brace with two neat finishes past Gianluigi Donnarumma before Joao Pedro, who only joined Chelsea two weeks ago, added a third on the stroke of half-time.

The Club World Cup win was another hugely encouraging sign for a Chelsea side that qualified for the Champions League last season while winning the Europa Conference League.

Chelsea have already bolstered Maresca’s squad with several summer signings, including the aforementioned Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens.

The Blues have also expressed interest in signing a new goalkeeper and John Obi Mikel believes Robert Sanchez must be replaced despite helping Chelsea win the Club World Cup.

Sanchez not only lifted the Club World Cup trophy on Sunday evening but also the Golden Glove award, given to the standout goalkeeper over the course of the tournament.

‘People might say we had an easy draw but you still have to beat what is in front of you and we did that,’ Obi Mikel told DAZN after Chelsea’s victory over PSG.

‘We got to the final and we absolutely destroyed PSG. Not only winning this trophy but the money we will get from this will help the club massively in terms of FFP.’

Wales legend Gareth Bale then interjected by asking: ‘Who are they going to buy next?! They can’t sign a goalkeeper because he had a great game.’

But Obi Mikel, a regular critic of Sanchez, added: ‘No, no, no, we are still buying a goalkeeper.

‘I’m still not convinced with Sanchez at all but let’s give him credit, he had a great game today, I’ll give him that.

‘I still believe we need a top, top goalkeeper. Sanchez a had brilliant game but going into new season, with the Premier League and Champions League, you still need a top goalkeeper.

‘This should give him good confidence ahead of the new season and hopefully we see a new Sanchez next season.

‘But healthy competition is important and we’ve seen that with the signing of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.’

Bale was then asked if he was also of the opinion that Chelsea needed to sign a new goalkeeper.

‘It’s the manager’s decision,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s bad to have healthy competition and if they sign a new goalkeeper they can battle it out.

‘We’ve seen teams in the past have two great goalkeepers. We had it at Real Madrid, they used to swap sometimes and it creates a fight for that place and keeps everyone on their toes.

‘I don’t see it as a bad thing to try and get another keeper.’

Chelsea tried to sign France No. 1 Mike Maignan earlier in the summer but talks with AC Milan broke down.

The Blues, who begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 against Crystal Palace, have recently been linked with a shock move for PSG’s Donnarumma.

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