Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted he still “trusts” goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after a disastrous display in Saturday's defeat to Manchester City, but was not committed to blindly sticking with the error-prone Spaniard.
Sanchez did not cover himself in glory City's tie at the Etihad Stadiumnot closing down Matheus Nunes before the ball spilled to Josko Guardiol on the brink of half-time. However, the goalkeeper saved his best mistake for the second half.
After being awkwardly charged out of his own area in an aborted attempt to intercept a long ball over the top for Erling HaalandSanchez was torn between whether he should go back to his goal line, or run towards the ball. In the end, he did neither, and was expertly torn apart by the city's relentless numbers.
This is hardly Sanchez's first mistake – no player in the Premier League has committed more errors leading directly to goals than the 27-year-old's five this season.
Man City take a big step towards Champions League qualification as Chelsea slip further down the league! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/9x0qrtv9js
– 90min (@90min_football) January 25, 2025
When you reflect on 3-1 lossa game in which Chelsea took a commanding lead after just three minutes, Maresca sighed: “We trust Robert for sure, but at the same time the first one who is aware that he is making mistakes is Robert. Now we are a week whole (to train) and we see the reaction and decide for the next match”.
The Italian coach added: “Robert is certainly fully aware that he has to do better. He was fully aware after the game, he knows that perfectly.
“The good thing is he's the first to know he needs to do better.”
Maresca has been keen to defend his goalkeeper against criticism this season but warned the Spain international was “still far, far, far from where I want him to be” in the days ahead of this weekend's trip to the Etihad.
The Blues have regularly fielded Danish shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen in cup competitions this season. The 22-year-old summer recruit from Villarreal has featured in just two Premier League Games this season – and failed to keep a clean sheet against Southampton or Ipswich Town.
Chelsea have been attached to the test With a move for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, although no deal is expected to take place this month. After Sanchez's recent error-strewn display, Maresca may be keen to look for a new number one sooner rather than later.