Chelsea’s draw with Arsenal showed a clear change in style. While Robert Sánchez was the best sign of Maresca moving away from Pep-ball and back to the club’s true identity.
Robert Sánchez and the Shift Away from Pep-ball
Chelsea played with a new sense of freedom against Arsenal. For example, this was clear in Robert Sánchez’s performance. Earlier, he had to play short passes at every goal kick. The team tried to copy Pep Guardiola’s slow build-up. In theory, it looked good. However, it did not suit the squad, and it put Sánchez under pressure in most matches.
Against Arsenal, things were different. First, Sánchez did not force risky passes. Instead, he went long when needed. He looked calm. He looked confident. Next, he made simple choices. These simple choices helped the team. They helped the defence stay stable. They also helped Chelsea avoid mistakes in key areas. The shift was clear. In the end, it showed that Maresca is now ready to change the plan when the plan does not work.
This change is important. It shows that Chelsea do not need to copy Manchester City. Chelsea need to find their own way. Sánchez helped the team do that.
🗣 Maresca hails Sanchez: "Robert was very good. When you are with 10 players against Arsenal, for sure if you want to take a point or win the game, you need some special performance, like Robert, like Reece, as you said. So we are very happy with Robert’s performance." pic.twitter.com/WeL9Ex41XC
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) November 30, 2025
How Robert Sánchez Shows Chelsea’s Return to Their DNA
Chelsea were down to ten men after Moisés Caicedo received a red card. This could have caused panic. But Chelsea did not panic. They stayed strong. They defended with heart. And Robert Sánchez played a big role in that. He made firm saves. He claimed crosses with ease. kept the game steady when the team was under pressure.
This is the Chelsea that fans know. This is also the Chelsea that wins big games by staying tough. As Michael Cox noted in The Athletic, Chelsea often do well when life gets hard. They block shots. Fight for loose balls. They break up the rhythm of the opponent. In this match, Sánchez helped bring this old Chelsea energy back.
He did not try to play fancy football in front of his own goal. Instead, he played smart football. He also played safe football. This matters because it fits the club’s long history. Chelsea has never needed 70% of the ball to win. They win by working as a team and staying sharp in tough moments. In the end, Sánchez reminded everyone of that.
Maresca’s Growth Made Clear Through Sánchez
However, this new use of Robert Sánchez shows how much Maresca has grown as a manager. Often, young coaches who admire Guardiola try to copy everything he does. But the Premier League is fast. It is intense. It does not forgive slow ideas. So, for a coach to succeed, he must adapt. He must adjust the style to match the players he has. This is what Mikel Arteta did at Arsenal. And it helped him succeed.
Therefore, Maresca seems to be learning the same lesson. Now, he is building a style that fits Chelsea, mixing his ideas with the strengths of his squad. As a result, he is helping the players feel secure. Sánchez is the clearest example of this shift. He now has the freedom to make simple choices. He does not need to follow a fixed pattern. Instead, he can play what the moment demands.
This change is good for Chelsea. But it gives them stability. It gives them identity. And it gives them hope for the future.
Sign of Maresca learning from his red card mistakes he talked about, instead of going more defensive, he kept on loads of counter attacking threats on the pitch who could carry us up the pitch. Sanchez used them a lot from his cross claims and release the ball quick for them to… pic.twitter.com/bFAbMiFPYw
— Oluwaseun 🇳🇬 (@MobyChe) November 30, 2025
Author’s Opinion
In conclusion, Robert Sánchez is the key sign of Maresca’s improvement. His new, simple style reflects a smarter approach from the manager. Above all, Chelsea look more like themselves now. They look strong. Look organised. Look ready to fight. no longer look like a team trying to copy someone else. They look like a team trying to find the best version of themselves.
If Maresca keeps trusting Chelsea’s true strengths, this may be the start of a better era for the club.
As featured on Chelseanews.com