Robert Sanchez played a key role in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United over the weekend.
It was his long ball that Joao Pedro managed to get under control before scoring Chelsea’s all-important equaliser.
During the half-time break, Pedro instructed Sanchez to play the ball that he did, with it paying off in the end.
The equaliser from Joao Pedro 🤩
Robert Sanchez understood the assignment 💪
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Sanchez now hopes that Pedro and the rest of his Chelsea teammates can learn an important lesson from their game at St James’ Park.
Robert Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo celebrate goal for Chelsea
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Robert Sanchez tells Chelsea teammates it doesn’t matter if they concede early
It took Nick Woltemade just four minutes to score against Chelsea before doubling Newcastle’s lead shortly after.
Chelsea did not mount their comeback until the second half, but Sanchez wants his teammates to learn that it is possible to turn things around much sooner.
“We conceded the early goal and we could not switch on after that goal, we stayed a bit low and we ended up conceding another one,” the goalkeeper was quoted as saying by Chelsea’s official club website. “It was a bit difficult to get going because the goal came so early.
“We need to learn that if we concede early it doesn’t matter, we still have 85 minutes in front of us. If you concede or someone makes a mistake or whatever, you need to bounce back and keep going because it’s a long game.”
Who is Chelsea’s best goalkeeper?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Chelsea’s decision to sell Djordje Petrovic instead of replacing Sanchez with him has certainly paid off.
The 28-year-old has been one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League this season, keeping nine clean sheets so far.
No goalkeeper has recorded more than him, with Arsenal’s David Raya also on nine.
Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Robert Sanchez (R) speaks with Chelsea's English defender #23 Trevoh Chalobah (C)
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images
Robert Sanchez becoming a real leader in Chelsea dressing room
Just from Sanchez’s recent words alone you can see that he is starting to become more of a leader at Chelsea.
It is what Enzo Maresca needs, with the Italian in charge of a very young dressing room.
Sanchez continues to deliver on the pitch, which is the most important thing. As already mentioned, he has kept a lot of clean sheets this term.
The Spaniard has really turned things around and just needs to maintain his consistency. Do that, and there will be no need for Chelsea to sign Mike Maignan or any other goalkeeper next summer.
Maignan continues to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as his contract runs down.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox