Chelsea manager makes his decision on Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after the recent blunder against Manchester United.
Sanchez signed for Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion in the 2023 summer window after making over 90 appearances for the Seagulls. The Spaniard also made his international debut during his time in East Sussex. After making the big switch to London the life hasn’t been the same for Sanchez. It hasn’t been the best of the starts as he only made a few in his debut season and only kept just three clean sheets. Injuries had been a real issue for the 26 year old and he also lost his no. 1 spot to Djordje Petrovic. This season Enzo Maresca has trusted him by giving the number 1 spot despite signing the young Dane Filipe Jorgensen. However, Maresca’s choice has not paid off as it seems, because Robert Sanchez has been making high profile mistakes that have cost Chelsea this season.
ROBERT SANCHEZ SEASON SO FAR
Despite having a not so good start to his life at Chelsea he was again entrusted with the number 1 spot by new manager Enzo Maresca. This must be considered a second chance as so many pundits had written off him as not good for a high profile team like Chelsea. He only made 16 appearances in his first season before being injured and then consequently lost the top spot to Petrovic. Injuries had sent him to the sidelines for a total of 26 games and the team was not in the best shape. So we can say that Robert Sanchez was not the only player at fault for the goal conceded.
Chelsea now signed 22 year old Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal 25 million euros. A huge fee for a second choice goalkeeper. Even though he currently acts as the second fiddle under Sanchez at Chelsea it won’t be long we might see him battling for the number one spot. Robert Sanchez also has not made a really good start this season also. Despite Chelsea being so stable defensively some of the goals they have conceded are from goalkeeping blunders. According to the stats, the 26 year old leads the table for most goals conceded from penalties. And only Ipswich town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has more errors leading to goals than Sanchez. Some feat that doesn’t match the credentials for a high profile goalkeeper.
The two blunders against Brighton, penalty conceded against Bournemouth, then his overall performance against Liverpool and the latest being the penalty gifted to Manchester United. If this trend continues Maresca would have to make some huge decisions regarding his goalkeeping choices.
MARESCA’S DECISION
Robert Sanchez was again on the autopsy table after the match against Manchester United this weekend. The Spaniard was on the receiving end of a number of criticisms from pundits. Something he has been undergoing from the start of the season. He has been committing high profile goalkeeping mistakes on every other day. Against Brighton where his faults led to goals conceded. Then again the penalty gifted to Bournemouth and his overall distribution was at scrutiny. Former footballer and a pundit for sky sports Jamie Carragher called Sanchez “scared”. Now a penalty gifted to Man Utd after a clumsily taking down Rasmus Hojlund. The spot kick was slotted home by Bruno Fernandes to give the lead to United. However a stunning goal from Moises Caicedo rescued him from further condemnation.
Robert Sanchez has received the backing of Maresca and Chelsea retain full belief in his talent.
The feeling within the club is that Sánchez has all the ingredients to be one of the best GK's in the PL and that his decision-making will eventually catch up with his talent.
Anyway as per the reports from Metro news it is said that Enzo Maresca has made his decision on whether to start Robert Sanchez. So the decision as it seems might upset some Chelsea critiques. As the Italian boss decides to stick with the Spaniard as the number one. Anyway Jorgensen is in line for the future and also starts all their cup matches. This might be seems as a second chance. As Dave Wilson said “Sometimes life gives you a second chance, or even two! Not always, but sometimes. It’s what you do with those second chances that counts.” Sanchez now has to make this second chance to use and rise up his bar.
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