Enzo Maresca has chosen to retain Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper despite a series of high-profile mistakes, including a costly error in the recent 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
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Since his transfer from Brighton in the summer of 2023 for £20 million, Sanchez has struggled to find his form, managing only three clean sheets in 16 Premier League appearances last season.
His position came under threat following injuries and a loss of form that saw Djordje Petrovic take over as the starting keeper.
Maresca granted Sanchez another opportunity this season, but the goalkeeper’s latest blunder—fouling Rasmus Hojlund and conceding a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes converted—has raised eyebrows.
Despite this, Chelsea managed to salvage a point thanks to Moises Caicedo’s stunning equaliser. Sanchez currently leads the league in penalties conceded and is tied for the most errors leading to goals, only surpassed by Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric.
Chelsea’s management remains confident in Sanchez’s abilities, believing that his relative youth will work in his favor as he matures. The club signed Filip Jorgensen for £20.5 million, intending to challenge Sanchez for the No. 1 spot.
However, they have reaffirmed their support for Sanchez, who is expected to start against rivals Arsenal this Sunday. Jorgensen, meanwhile, is likely to get the nod for Thursday’s Conference League clash against Armenian side Noah, having featured in all of Chelsea’s cup games thus far.
Although Sanchez’s statistics have been underwhelming—12 goals conceded in 10 games with only two clean sheets—Maresca and the club maintain their faith in him as a developing talent in the squad.
Giving Sanchez so many chances despite his mistakes feels risky maybe time to shake things up and give Jorgensen a shot