“He’s better than Robert Sanchez and Kepa” – Darren Bent names better goalkeeper Chelsea should’ve signed
Darren Bent reckons Chelsea should have signed David Raya rather than Robert Sanchez as competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues have sealed a £25 million deal for Sanchez. The 25-year-old has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and is tasked with competing with Kepa for the No.1 starting berth. He kept eight clean sheets in 25 games across competitions for the Seagulls last season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues have sealed a £25 million deal for Sanchez. The 25-year-old has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and is tasked with competing with Kepa for the No.1 starting berth. He kept eight clean sheets in 25 games across competitions for the Seagulls last season.
However, Bent has questioned Chelsea’s capture of Robert Sanchez, as he believes his compatriot, Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya, would have been a better signing. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker told talkSPORT:
“Bringing in Robert Sanchez who doesn’t even start for Brighton now, he’s not their number one anymore, I find it quite strange. David Raya has been linked to Arsenal as their no.2 potentially, but he’s good enough to be a lot of teams in the Premier League’s no.1.”
Bent continued by deeming Raya to be better than Kepa. He’s bemused that the Spaniard is set to become back-up to Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal:
“He’s better than Kepa, so why would Chelsea or David Raya not go, ‘Why go behind Ramsdale, why not go to Chelsea and be their no.1?’. There’s something not quite right with that Raya move. If I was Chelsea, I’d go ‘give me him’.”
Raya was one of the Premier League’s most impressive shot-stoppers last season. The Brentford goalkeeper kept 12 clean sheets in 39 games across competitions for Thomas Frank’s side.
The 27-year-old looks to be heading to the Emirates, as Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Raya. The Gunners are negotiating a fee with the Bees to get a deal over the line, per The Athletic.
However, many are surprised that Raya is willing to become a back-up to Ramsdale. He has rejected contract proposals from Brentford, as he seeks a move to a top club, but it’s expected that he wants want to be No.1 immediately.
Pochettino could have given him that opportunity, as Kepa wasn’t the most dependable last season. Instead, the Argentine coach has lured Robert Sanchez to Stamford Bridge, but he fell down the pecking order at Brighton last season.