Chelsea to stick with Robert Sanchez in January despite questions over first XI role
Chelsea have no plans to pursue a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window and will stick with Robert Sanchez as their first choice shotstopper.
The Blues spent around £25 million to sign Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion this past summer after Edouard Mendy departed the club and Kepa Arrizabalaga left for Real Marid on loan.
The Spaniard has started every match for Chelsea so far this season, but his performances have raised doubts over whether he is the long-term answer in goal. He has conceded 16 times in 12 Premier League matches.
However, The Athletic (h/t Express), states that Chelsea maintain full confidence in Sanchez and are content with him and reserve keeper Djordje Petrovic as their goalkeeping options for now.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has publicly backed the 25-year-old Sanchez to keep improving with more time to adjust to playing for Chelsea. It makes sense as a recognized number one will give us a proper base to build a solid side around.
“I’m really happy with his (Sanchez’s) attitude and commitment. He is going to be great. He only arrived at the last moment, the other keeper went to Madrid, he played in two or three training sessions and then straight in.
We need to give him time to adapt, it is not the same playing for another team as it is at Chelsea where there is pressure to win.”
The Spaniard Sanchez was a part of the £1Billion spending that Todd Boehly undertook ever since he took over from Roman Abramovich. Almost all experienced players and players over 26 were either sold out or loaned out.
But not everyone shares the manager’s faith in Sanchez as a title-challenging keeper. Former Blue Glen Johnson said recently he does not believe Sanchez is “in that bracket just now.”
For the time being, though, Chelsea appear prepared to continue developing Sanchez rather than dip back into the transfer market for another goalkeeper in January.
Chelsea are currently going through a transitional phase where they have chosen to focus on developing young talents into world-class players rather than signing already established players. And Robert Sanchez is a very instrumental part of this.
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Barring a dramatic collapse in form, Sanchez seems set to retain his starting spot for the remainder of the season as Chelsea aim to build consistency and cohesion at the back.