If anyone was unsure about the issues Liam Rosenior has to sort out at Chelsea, then they just need to watch Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal. Gary Neville highlighted one of those, in Robert Sanchez.
The first glaring problem Rosenior has as Chelsea manager was from set-pieces. Chelsea’s defending from crosses is woeful, and it was on full show against Burnley and then Arsenal, conceding from two corners.
The second major issue staring Rosenior in the face is Chelsea’s ill-discipline. The Blues have had more red cards in the Premier League than anyone else and Pedro Neto’s stupid red card has intensified that.
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Chris Sutton called Neto an “idiot” and rightly so, earning a yellow for dissent and then a ridiculous lunge on Gabriel Martinelli. The third issue is a specific player, one that is seriously concerning Gary Neville.
Gary Neville shares feeling Chelsea fans have for Robert Sanchez
Rosenior had his head in his hands when Sanchez lost the ball on the edge of his own area, but for a late lunge on Eberechi Eze that saved the day. Then, he was at fault for Arsenal’s second, blaming the ref.
Chelsea's Robert Sanchez looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Frank Leboeuf blasted Sanchez, comparing him to David Raya after the match. Gary Neville has followed suit, telling his Sky Sports podcast that whenever Sanchez has the ball, he’s instantly filled with nerves.
“I’m going to talk about the goalkeeper. He invites problems, Robert Sanchez. Every time I watch him play, I have my heart in my mouth. And then obviously on the goal, he flaps it,” Neville said on his pod.
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There is no doubt that Sanchez has improved this season. The Spaniard has made some wonderful saves and produced some top performances. It is not as if Sanchez is actually bad with his feet, just error-prone.
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Sanchez has always been capable of a blunder and that is a concern. Filip Jorgensen is next in line and was on the bench against Arsenal. The former Villarreal man has impressed when he’s been given a go.
But realistically, even if some fans would prefer Sanchez doesn’t wear a Chelsea shirt again, it is likely Rosenior continues with the former Brighton man over Jorgensen when Chelsea go to Villa tomorrow.
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