Robert Sanchez has continued this season as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, and Jason Cundy has spotted something interesting about his game.
Even though Robert Sanchez, 27, has divided opinion within the Chelsea fanbase since he joined in 2023, the former Brighton keeper retains the trust of the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge.
Alan Pardew insists Chelsea’s goalkeeper is a problem position, claiming it would worry him as a manager. However, he’s still the number one for the Blues in the 2025-26 campaign so far.
Appearances Goals conceded Clean sheets
10 10 5
Chelsea decided to give Sanchez another year after missing out on AC Milan’s Mike Maignan in the summer.
Apart from the red card in the Premier League defeat against Manchester United in September, the Spaniard has been steady between the sticks for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez training at Cobham.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Jason Cundy claims Robert Sanchez is passing longer this season
According to Jason Cundy, Chelsea’s Sanchez is taking fewer risks when playing out from the back and opting to pass longer more frequently.
Cundy told talkSPORT’s The Sports Bar (20 October): “Not as many teams are playing out from the back now… Going longer now, teams are doing that. Chelsea are doing it. Robert Sanchez rarely gets caught. He now goes longer.”
Fans will mostly be concerned about Sanchez cutting out the mistakes in his game that prove costly. Unfortunately, the pattern of his Chelsea career has seen him drop a howler just as he’s putting together a strong run of form.
Premier League legend Peter Schmeichel thinks Sanchez is good enough to win the title as a starting keeper, but the jury is still out on him for many people.
Robert Sanchez passes the ball during Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
What the stats highlight about Robert Sanchez
Cundy’s observation on the Chelsea goalkeeper is correct.
Below are Sanchez’s individual stats in the Premier League for the 2024-25 season via FBREF data.
Season Long passes completed per 90 minutes Long passes attempted per 90 minutes
2024-25 6.28 17.3
In comparison, below are Sanchez’s individual stats in the Premier League from the current 2025-26 season so far.
Season Long passes completed per 90 minutes Long passes attempted per 90 minutes
2025-26 8.00 22.0
As you can see, there has been an increase in the amount of time the Blues shot-stopper has decided to go long in possession. It is worth adding that some of his long-range passing can be extremely effective when it goes over the top of the opposition’s defence.