John Obi Mikel has insisted that Chelsea should improve in one criticism to have hope to secure silverware this season.
After claiming European silverware and securing a Champions League place in his first season at the helm of Stamford Bridge Enzo Maresca, little time wasted to strengthen his team this summer.
New arrivals, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, will offer the club even more offensive options on its way to the upcoming campaign.
According to Mikel, who won two Premier League titles during his 11-year spell in West London, the blues will never return to the peak of football without getting a world-class goalkeeper.
Both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen brought no confidence between the sticks in separate spells last season, and the blues are reportedly looking for a new no. 1 this summer.
“Many of the Chelsea fans can agree that we need another top goalkeeper because Sanchez is not doing it,” Mikel told Talksport.
'The situation of the goalkeeper must be resolved. We cannot comment on the new season with Sanchez, I am sorry.
'I am sure that 99 percent of Chelsea fans will agree that Sanchez is not the goalkeeper who will win trophies. Absolutely not. '
Maresca was held at Sanchez between the sticks in the World Cup in the US while his side is preparing to compete against PSG in the final of the renewed tournament.
Mikel, however, is not convinced.
He continued: 'So far, so good at this tournament. He has made mistakes, but they have not yet led to a goal and we have been lucky, we have scored goals and defended well. He has not really been under that pressure.
“But go in a season in which we have the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and all this, we need a top, top goalkeeper.”
'You have seen Liverpool and Arsenal – they have top, top keepers. So that area of the field must be resolved and I am sure the owners know that. '
Chelsea has already welcomed a new shot stopper in their ranks this summer, with Mike Penders joining the Genk in a deal that is reportedly worth £ 17 million.
However, the 19-year-old Belgian Youth International is expected to be sent on loan next season instead of fighting for the No. 1 while he continues his development.
The blues are also repeatedly connected to a movement for AC Milan's Mike Maignan and PSG star Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The deal of Donnarumma with Les Parisiens expires in the summer of 2026, but he made it clear that he wants to stay in the French capital.
“My priority is to stay with PSG and sign a new deal,” he said last month. “I don't think there will be problems in the negotiations.”