Former Chelsea favourite Frank Leboeuf believes Xabi Alonso is going to have a big decision to make over one of his senior players.
Alonso has a big job on his hands this summer as he looks to transform the Blues from a team that missed out on Europe altogether to one capable of at least finishing in the top four.
Part of making that happen could be a squad reshuffle of sorts, with some players likely to be moved on, while others will be brought in, with the Blues likely to invest in their squad this summer.
Chelsea favourite backs exit for Robert Sanchez
Some departures may be out of Alonso's hands, with Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella potentially being lured away, though steep asking prices could help keep each of those players.
Elsewhere, decisions will have to be made over whether other players belong in the squad going forward, and there is none bigger than at the goalkeeper position.
Robert Sanchez has long been the centre of debate at Stamford Bridge, and Leboeuf believes the Spaniard may be Chelsea's biggest liability.
Speaking via BetGoodwin, he said: "I don’t like to say that anyone should go. He’s a great goalkeeper, but when he’s with his feet, he’s a danger to his own team."
"When Donnarumma signed for Manchester City, he had the same problem, and Pep Guardiola managed to settle into a new system to make sure that Donnarumma doesn’t play with his feet too much. And so it might be possible. But I’m not sure Alonso will want to change his style for one player, so they might look to replace him."
"I’m very fond of Raya; that guy is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the best right now and he has proven that during the Champions League final as well. With his feet, it’s easy, and I really think that Chelsea should try to get somebody like Raya."
Chelsea already know they have a weakness
Chelsea are already well aware of the issue they have between the sticks. Sanchez may have clawed back some credit in the back-end of last season, but he has struggled for consistency overall, and Enzo Maresca knew it was an issue.
Maresca and Chelsea tried to replace Sanchez last summer when they submitted bids for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan. Ultimately, they were priced out of a move, at least in terms of what they were willing to pay, while Maignan had limited time remaining on his contract.
The Frenchman went on to sign a new deal, and there have been reports of Chelsea returning with fresh interest amid changes aplenty at Milan this summer, but it remains to be seen whether they will commit this summer.
What we do know is that Chelsea clearly recognised the shortcomings at the goalkeeper position, and it's likely they feel the same, even with Maresca long gone at this stage.
Sanchez certainly hasn't been all bad, and he is a very good keeper overall. But if Chelsea's ambitions are to fight for a title in the near to mid-term future, they need better than very good. They need world-class, and Sanchez is not currently in - or indeed trending towards - being in that bracket.
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