Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made two costly errors in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal in Wednesday night's League Cup semi-final and isn't guaranteed to start regularly under Liam Rosenior
Robert Sanchez of Chelsea
Robert Sanchez was at fault for two goals in Chelsea's loss to Arsenal(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Liam Rosenior has warned [Chelsea](https:// https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/chelsea-fc)'s goalkeepers that he does not operate with a recognised No 1, meaning Robert Sanchez will have to earn his spot under the club's new head coach.
Rosenior, 41, was installed as Enzo Maresca's successor earlier this month after impressing at the Blues' sister club, Strasbourg. His arrival has coincided with the January transfer window, meaning he would, theoretically, be able to make changes to the squad he inherited from Maresca, though it remains to be seen if Chelsea will be active this month.
Sanchez's position in the team has once again come under scrutiny after the Spain international made two glaring errors in the 3-2 League Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday night, which was Rosenior's second game at the helm.
And when the new Blues chief was asked if Sanchez would remain as first-choice, he made it clear that nobody was guaranteed a spot in his XI. He explained: “It’s the same for every position. I’m here to assess every position. I don’t have No 1s or No 2s. That’s not how I work. If you look at me at every club, there has to be competition. I work on performance, not just in the goalkeeping department, but every position on the pitch.
“You have to earn your spot in this team. I have a very good squad. That’s the message to all of the players. I don’t have guaranteed No 1s or No 9s. They have to earn their place in the team.”
Liam Rosenior
New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior says he does not operate with a set No 1 goalkeeper(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Sanchez, 28, has divided opinion often since joining Chelsea from Brighton in 2023 and there were calls for him to be replaced after an error-strewn 2024-25 campaign. The Blues subsequently pursued a deal for Mike Maignan, only to eventually walk away from negotiations with AC Milan over their experienced keeper.
Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea's No 2 under Maresca, has attracted transfer interest from West Ham this month. He played in Rosenior's first game, a 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic of the Championship in the FA Cup.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, and David Raya of Arsenal embrace at full-time after victory in the penalty shoot out following the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta previously claimed Arsenal didn't have a set No 1 after bringing David Raya to the club(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Rosenior's stance on not having a set No 1 echo comments previously made by the Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, who insisted he had 'two No 1's' after signing David Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale back in the summer of 2023. The Spaniard went on to replace Ramsdale in the team, with the England keeper moving on the following year.
“To be better [as a team], the environment has to be better,“ Arteta said shortly after Raya's arrival, initially on loan from Brentford.
“When you have to be at 100% every day, believe me, your level increases.
“We have two great goalkeepers, just like we have two great left wingers, two great holding midfielders, two great strikers. There is no number one - not in any position.“
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