Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be very happy with his first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez right now.
Other than his red card against Manchester United back in September, Sanchez has not put a foot wrong this season.
In fact, the Spaniard, who turned 28 on Tuesday, has shown vast improvement in one particular area.
Sanchez has often been criticised since joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, but he has not been under any scrutiny lately. Looking at some of his numbers, you can see why.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gives thumbs up
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has become elite at cross stopping
In the past, Sanchez has been guilty of flapping at crosses and being beaten in the air too easily. However, dealing with aerial balls is an area in which he has really improved and is now actually one of his biggest strengths.
As per FBref, Sanchez stopped 12.7% of crosses he faced in the Premier League last season. That percentage has gone up to 16.1% this term.
Season Appearances Crosses stopped Crosses stopped %
2025/26 11 18 16.1%
2024/25 32 47 12.7%
His overall crosses stopped percentage over the past year is 13.9%, putting him in the 99th percentile. It means that Sanchez is one of the best goalkeepers in the world when it comes to stopping crosses.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is undoubtedly one of the best in his position, and Sanchez recently named Haaland as his toughest opponent.
He scored twice against the Chelsea goalkeeper last season, including a really good goal from outside the box.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez celebrating
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How many clean sheets has Robert Sanchez kept this season?
In the current campaign, Sanchez has also managed to keep quite a few clean sheets. In total, he has kept five after playing 11 games in the Premier League, giving him a clean sheet percentage of 45.5%.
There are concerns about Chelsea’s backline, with critics believing that it is too young and inexperienced. Presently, though, Sanchez is not part of the problem and is one of the more seasoned players in Maresca’s defence.