Rosenior may have a decision to make this summerplaceholder image
Rosenior may have a decision to make this summer | Getty Images
One Chelsea star has been criticised for his efforts during Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
One Chelsea star has come in for big criticism after the Blues lost to rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Liam Rosenior’s men went in level at the break but ultimately fell short after another Arsenal set-piece goal.
It was the typical scramble in front of the keeper, causing confusion for Robert Sanchez, and it adds to a growing trend of Premier League clubs not being able to properly defend corners.
Goalkeepers share plenty of blame for that trend, with too many looking for a foul to be given and not willing to embrace the physicality by shoving a blocker from their path and attacking the ball.
Instead, we now see keepers look confused and throw their hands in the air, but it’s no surprise given how easily referees previously blew their whistles for opponents making any contact with a goalkeeper.
The advantage now seems to be given the the attacking team and goalkeepers are now adjusting. Sanchez certainly didn’t on Sunday, and now only did Chelsea pay the price for that with the result, but the Spaniard has now come in for criticism for his efforts.
TalkSport pundit Alex Crook wrote on X: “Even given Robert Sanchez’s capability to throw in a clanger, his goalkeeping for Arsenal’s winner in Sunday’s London derby triumph over Chelsea was bordering on embarrassing.
“It was the latest example of Chelsea needing to invest in a new number one this summer if they harbour any serious ambitions of challenging for league titles and Champions League.”
Chelsea have long been linked with a move for a new goalkeeper, but Sanchez has been in decent form on the whole for the last calendar year. Whether he is a top-level keeper remains up for debate, though, and it will be interesting to see what Rosenior does at the position in the summer.
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