One of the talking points of the Chelsea season so far has been their tactical brilliance utilized by Enzo Maresca, and the Blues continue to look comfortable in second place in the Premier League. Their attacking flair and defensive fragility were on display as they came from behind to beat Tottenham 4-3 in a thrilling 4-3 win in their spicy North London derby at the Spurs’ stadium. One player who excites fans while sparking as much anxiety is goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Now Leicester’s title defense is over, Sanchez would be considered the understudy—the understudy who goes on stage and keeps dropping the prop.
Robert Sanchez: A Mixed Bag (Mostly Dropped)
Chelsea’s impressive campaign, however, has seen those defensive slip-ups as its kryptonite, with just three clean sheets in 15 games. And Sanchez has been at the epicenter of these issues often. The performance in the latest match vs Spurs was a glaring example of that. The Spanish stopper made only two saves, conceded three, and made 53% of his passes. So it’s the sort of stat line even Sunday league goalkeepers will raise an eyebrow at.
Sean Walsh, an editor at GOAL, took no prisoners with his passings, handing Sanchez an atrocious 4/10 and describing his passing as ‘awful.’ Jamie Carragher added, “I just can’t see anyone winning the Premier League with that goalkeeper.” Ouch. Carragher’s deliveries aren’t quite as hot as a London derby begets introspection.
Enter Filip Jorgensen: The Danish Dynamo
Fortunately for Chelsea, there’s a promising alternative waiting in the wings. And at the other end of the pitch, 22-year-old Danish shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen, signed for £20.7m from Villarreal, has quietly impressed in his scant appearances. Jorgensen has been a revelation, with four clean sheets from his nine games and a save total that would make even the most seasoned keepers cringe. His standout moment? Heidenheim had 11 saves, including seven inside the box, jaw-dropping against Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League.
It’s not just his shot-stopping that is getting people’s attention, however. There’s a calmness under pressure and an ability to ping long balls into the channels, and it feels like a prime Ederson. Jorgensen, when you compare their stats, is better than Sanchez in almost every category, from saves per game to pass completion rates.
Why not give Jorgensen a shot in place of Robert Sanchez?
And why hasn’t Maresca made the switch? Perhaps it’s loyalty. Perhaps it’s stubbornness. Or is it that he’s just been too busy perfecting that slick sideline swagger? Whether for good or bad reasons, it might be time to bite the bullet. He’s earned his shot as subtly as a banner-waving fan.
Chelsea might have ironed out those pesky defense lapses by putting Jorgensen into the starting XI. The failure to pass often leaves Sanchez on the end of nervy moments or a gift wrapped on a plate for the opposition. By contrast, Jorgensen has shown composure beyond his years. It is non-negotiable for a team that’s fighting for Premier League glory to minimize your errors.
I just pray it won't be too late, but very soon , Enzo Maresca will realise that Robert Sanchez can not win anything for the club.
I wonder why we bought Jorgensen in the first place ?? pic.twitter.com/7mXjxu2gUj
— Grazedman (@abraham_ba96437) December 8, 2024
Fans Weigh In
The last thing Chelsea fans aren’t known for is their patience—ever ask any former manager? But some fans want Jorgensen to take over, with the sentiment on social media split. ‘Sanchez’s playing like he’s got a bet on Spurs,’ one fan on Twitter quipped. ‘Give Jorgensen the gloves,’ another chimed in. That’s at least something—he knows who to pass to!”
It’s obvious—fans want a change, and Jorgensen is where the people stand. So anyway, what’s football without something dramatic and a good underdog story, right?
Chelsea’s ambitions are clear, and so is the writing on the wall: trust the Danish dynamo. If Maresca can bring himself to make that call, the Blues might soon forget those defensive frailties, and the Premier League trophy might be put into the trophy cabinet.
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