Claret and Hugh’s article 19th May describes the changing of the guard at London Stadium with likeable goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero being reported as possibly being set to leave the club in the summer. Matt’s report then details the interest West Ham have in appointing as his successor Ben Roberts, who worked with Potter at Brighton and followed him to Chelsea in 2022, where he now serves as the “Head of Global Goalkeeping”.
There’s a big elephant in the room that we need to discuss here.
As written by Blues’ fan site Chelsea.news, “Graham Potter wants unpopular coach to join him at West Ham”. Roberts isn’t unpopular per se- I’ve never met him but I’m sure he’s a very nice man. The issue for Chelsea fans is that Roberts was responsible for bringing in and backing still their calamity keeper. As Chelsea news puts it:
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“Chelsea goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts is not well-liked by any Chelsea fan I have spoken to, and I speak to many on a daily basis…
This is because Roberts is a good pal of Robert Sanchez and the one who bought him into Chelsea and the one who continues to back him. And Chelsea fans do not rate Sanchez at all… and the final sentence:
“It is thought that [West Ham] could be looking to sign another keeper to challenge Areola next season and this could be part of a new keeping member of staff’s remit”
Anyone else see whether this is heading?
New goal keeping coach who is a ‘good pal’ of Chelsea’s calamity keeper Robert Sanchez – and West Ham needing a new keeper. Tell me I’m wrong. Memories of Roberto still make me shudder. Suddenly I’m getting very pro-Aaron Ramsdale: Put me down as in the ‘anyone but Sanchez’ camp.