Chelsea plot stunning £83m transfer as Rob Sanchez replacement found after Enzo Maresca admission

It's all coming up Chelsea. It's no surprise the supporters want to celebrate the moment.

It has been three years since the club were last realistically anywhere near a Premier League title race and even if there isn't a wholesale confidence and belief that this 15 game stretch will transpire into much more this season, it is nice to feel and to enjoy once again.

It is the hope and expectation that hurts the most, after all. So, for now, it is a game-by-game, moment-by-moment thing for Chelsea, and they will be all the better for it.

Pressure is something that hampers, most of the time, and at this stage of development for a young team, they are isolating away from title talk and creating a safe haven to play attacking football. Where is leads is the adventure that many never imagined would come just yet.

That is what makes Saturday's tension and struggles for Liverpool and Arsenal even more appealing and enticing for Chelsea. These teams are feeling the heat when Enzo Maresca seems to be thriving and loving the chaos of it all.

It is this that has made Chelsea a positive place once more. Here, football.london takes a look at the latest news around the club.

Sanchez replacement identified

Chelsea are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, according to Sky Germany. With Robert Sanchez's place in the team far from stable, the club are keeping their options open.

Despite signing Filip Jorgensen over the summer to act as competition for Sanchez, Maresca has doubled down on his stance for the position, even if Sanchez is a major cause for concern within the fanbase. “The idea is not to change,” he said earlier this week when asked if rotating Sanchez and Jorgensen regularly is part of his plan.

“But also in that case, we have two keepers who are both good. Until they maintain the same level, we are happy with that.” The Italian has been clear on what he expects from whoever plays between the sticks as well.

“Yes [Sanchez made mistakes] but he also did so many good things. At the end, it's football. I ask Robert to do that. The moment he stops doing that [playing out from the back], he is not going to play. If Robert makes a mistake, it's not Robert's problem, it's my mistake because I asked that from Robert.

“I am very happy with Robert and the way he is playing, building from the back. All the goal kicks we have and he passes the ball to Noni, and Pedro, that kind of ball that gives us many times chances to attack. Sometimes you make mistakes but it is not going to change the way we are going to play."”

However, it is claimed that Kobel has emerged as a possible target should Chelsea act on the uncertainty. Those within the club have remained faithful so Sanchez in spite of some of his flaws being exposed across 18 months at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have also been linked to Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi. They were named as an interested party in the speedy winger over the summer but those talks were rubished. Ben Jacobs has since come out to deny that Adeyemi is on their radar.

football.london says: It is the general consensus that Chelsea's biggest obstacle to truly going deep in a title challenge this season will be the goalkeeper. Given that Sanchez has played all but one game, the accusation is being levelled squarely at him.

The defence in front of him has hardly been watertight - hence games where Sanchez has genuinely won Chelsea points, like away at Bournemouth or the 1-1 home draw to Nottingham Forest - but none of it is helped by a shaky 'keeper. He isn't title-winning material.

Jorgensen has shown signs of being able to at least push him for the starting Premier League spot but is only 22. Not many teams get close to winning a league with someone that young in their goal. Chelsea will need to improve this area if it is to keep up with the rate of change in the rest of the squad but given the movement since 2022 it is hard to imagine significant funds being put in that direction.

READ MORE: What Arsenal and Liverpool slip means for Chelsea in Premier League title race shock

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READ MORE: Chelsea may have just confirmed first January transfer as Enzo Maresca problem clear

Estevao Willian repeat

Not content with poaching Palmeiras star Estevao Willian - albeit for what could rise to £51million - Chelsea are now reportedly looking to sign centre-back Vitor Reis. The 18-year-old has an £83million release clause, Goal Brasil say.

Real Madrid, of course, are also linked with the player but Chelsea have allegedly made contact with his camp in recent days in order to see if a deal would be possible. Arsenal and Inter are among the clubs to have done the same.

Reis will turn 19 in January and made himself regular for Palmeiras this season, playing 19 league games. The South American giants won nine of those on their way to a second-place finish.

Speaking at the end of the Brazilian Serie A season, Reis said: “Right now, I am focused on Palmeiras and leave all the rest to my agent. I will now go on holiday and then focus on Palmeiras."

He is due to feature at the 2025 Club World Cup and added, "I think everyone dreams of playing against Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. I think we will have to work very hard to beat them.”

As for his own game, Reis explained: “My reference was always Marquinhos. I always watch his games, and his behaviour off the pitch inspires me. I also like Casemiro, who hails from my city and also inspires me.”

football.london says: Maybe it is reactionary to say so because Chelsea are doing well, but the project to sign a bunch of highly talented young players and bring them through is looking a lot more sensible and well-judged right now than it did over the summer.

The caveat to that is that none of the teenagers (other than Romeo Lavia, who was always purchased for immediate first-team use) have actually arrived at the club just yet. None come with as much hype as Estevao - which is understandable given he is performing better than Neymar ever did in Brazil despite being younger than when he left join Barcelona - but the wider youth recruitment cannot be justified just yet.

Kendry Paez, Aaron Anslemino, and Mike Penders are some of the most promising names and will players not just for the next few years but the next decade or more, Chelsea hope. That doesn't make Reis' release clause anymore acceptable. He might be good but nobody will pay that, not even Chelsea.