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Filip Jorgensen took his chance to impress in a first Premier League start against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were all among the goals as Enzo Maresca saw five different outfield players hit the back of the net. The Blues dominated in that game but, despite the scoreline, Russell Martin's men did have their own chances.
It was the Saints who nearly took the lead as a skittled Chelsea defence allowed Joe Aribo in on goal, the visitors saved by a sensational save from summer signing Filip Jorgensen. The £20 million man won plaudits for that stop and was called into action multiple times on Wednesday, making confident stops and looking hugely impressive in the Blues' goal.
His efforts earned a 9/10 player rating by LondonWorld. As the full-time whistle went we wrote: "Called into action a few times by a Southampton side that might have posed a danger if not for the capitulation. A very impressive performance that will do nothing but strengthen his case for the starting role. A particularly good save early on against Joe Aribo was vital."
Filip Jorgensen saves against Joe Aribo.Filip Jorgensen saves against Joe Aribo.
Filip Jorgensen saves against Joe Aribo. | Getty Images
It is with some incredulity therefore that one of the first things Maresca confirmed after the match was that Jorgensen would be dropped for this weekend's big London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. Making it crystal clear, he said: "That day we are going to play Sanchez and 10 players. The only one that is sure is Sanchez."
That is likely to be a decision that will anger many Chelsea supporters, and with good reason. Sanchez had started every Premier League match this season before the trip to Southampton but had come under fire for some high-profile errors and questionable distribution.
That had led to many asking why their £20 million summer signing wasn't being afforded a chance to impress in the top flight under Maresca, having shown his solidity when donning the gloves in European action. It was exciting to see Jorgensen picked against Southampton and, if truth be told, there's nothing more he could have done to earn the right to start again against Spurs this weekend.
While competition in the squad is healthy, it feels as if Maresca is walking a fine line with his selection games. Chelsea won't want the fracas and distraction that Arsenal saw between David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale last season.
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Indeed, there is little that seems capable of lowering Sanchez in Maresca's thinking. After the shot-stopper was criticised for his role in Curtis Jones' Liverpool goal against Chelsea earlier this season, the former Leicester City manager said: “I’m very happy with Robert, he’s doing fantastic with us. Not only in building from the back but also making saves.”
The Chelsea boss has gone has far as to take the blame for the player's mistakes himself too, in particular distribution. He has said: “In the end, that is football. I am the guy who asks Robert to do that. And Robert is going to do that. In the moment he stops to do that, he is not going to play. If Robert makes a mistake, it’s not Robert’s problem, it’s my mistake because I asked that from Robert.
“I am very happy with Robert and the way he is playing, building from the back. All the goal kicks we have and he passes the ball to Noni, and Pedro, that kind of ball that gives us many times chances to attack. Sometimes you make mistakes but it is not going to change the way we are going to play.”
The former Brighton man will return to the starting XI against Ange Postecoglou's men this weekend, but what more can the talented Jorgensen do to make that spot his own?
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