Chelsea can solve Xabi Alonso's biggest problem in Premier League race with transfer chance

Chelsea have been urged to strengthen a 'big problem' position before the end of the summer transfer window despite spending more than £300million so far

Chelsea should solve Xabi Alonso's biggest problem by upgrading goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, according to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

Sanchez, 28, signed for the Blues in a £25million deal from Brighton in August 2023 but has struggled to reach his best form during his time at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard has produced some impressive performances, including when he starred in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, but not on a consistent basis.

It has left Chelsea with an area for improvement, though the Blues are not expected to dip into the transfer window and sign another 'keeper before the September 1 deadline. They are set to instead stick with Sanchez as No.1 and Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, as the club's second-choice shot-stopper.

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But Scholes believes Chelsea would be making a huge mistake if they don't sign a goalkeeper before the end of the window. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, sponsored by Midnite, the former United midfielder said: "I think it's still a big point: goalkeeper is a problem for Chelsea.

"If I was them, I'd have a look at the Villa goalkeeper (Martinez). I know Juventus have just pulled out of a deal for him, I think he'd be a good signing for Chelsea."

Martinez's Villa future is uncertain with Unai Emery's side closing in on a £30m deal to sign Parma's Japan international 'keeper Zion Suzuki. Although the club's director of football operations Damian Vidagany had confirmed that the Argentine is set to remain at Villa Park, he is now likely to depart before the deadline.

Chelsea finished last season down in 10th and have no European football to contend with this campaign. And ex-Liverpool and United forward Michael Owen insists that will help improve the Blues' Premier League form.

"I think Chelsea will be second," Owen admitted. "They've got nothing. No Europe at all. You see how important that has been over the year. Brilliant for United last year, was it?

"This manager [Xabi Alonso] did something similar in Germany, with an unfancied team. He's going to change a lot. I think they’ve bought well. I'm a huge Joao Pedro fan. I think he's unbelievable. In fact, Manchester United should have bought him about four years ago when he was at Watford when they had nobody up front for years.

"I think him, you've got [Morgan] Rogers, you've got Cole Palmer as a front three. There are some strange signings in [Danny] Welbeck and [Jordan] Henderson, obviously, and that's a sort of big question mark, but I just think that they could catch fire; that team they've got nothing to play for, as I say, no European football to concentrate on and there's some good players there. I think Chelsea could have a big season."

Chelsea kickstart their Premier League season with a trip to Fulham next Monday night. They then face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup before welcoming Brighton to west London.