Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
When Liam Rosenior arrived at Chelsea, there was concern that he would not be proactive and would struggle to be brave. Against Aston Villa, Robert Sanchez learned that it isn’t the case.
There might have even been a touch of sympathy for Rosenior if he did let the egos in the dressing room get the better of him. This is a man who has only managed Hull and Strasbourg, and is now Chelsea boss.
Rosenior enjoyed a solid career as a player, with a highlight of 149 appearances in the Premier League. But this is a new world for Rosenior. The pressure has been on the Chelsea boss to make brave decisions.
Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Against Aston Villa, he did that. He dropped Robert Sanchez after his disastrous performance at Arsenal, and while Chelsea failed to keep a clean sheet, it worked. But what does it mean for Sanchez, now?
Filip Jorgensen set to remain no.1 for the foreseeable
Rosenior is known to be a fan of Jorgensen, playing him against Charlton and Pafos previously. But this was the first time that given the pick of Sanchez and Jorgensen, Rosenior preferred Jorgensen.
Filip Jorgensen in action before Pafos vs Chelsea. He's continuing his individual rehabilitation from a minor knock.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Jorgensen could do nothing about Douglas Luiz’s opener, and he almost stopped Ollie Watkins’ effort that was eventually disallowed. However, what was eye-catching was that Jorgensen wasn’t eye-catching.
He didn’t draw attention to himself, he kept things simple, and he didn’t look as if he was ever going to make a mistake. Gary Neville says he has his heart in his mouth when Sanchez has the ball at his feet.
This doesn’t feel like a one-game thing. Sanchez might start against Wrexham, but against PSG next week, if Rosenior has the option of either goalkeeper, the favourite right now would be Jorgensen to start.
Robert Sanchez could be the first out of the door this summer
Ultimately, for a goalkeeper to lose their starting position, it means they have failed and Sanchez has been unable to shake off his error-prone reputation. At this stage in his career, Sanchez is not a no.2.
Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders save percentage
Credit: Andrew Kearns/CameraSport/Valentine CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images
If Jorgensen remains as Chelsea’s no.1, then Sanchez’s future comes under the microscope. This is not a goalkeeper that will want to be second choice and Chelsea will see no value in him as a back-up option.
Come the summer, if Jorgensen remains first choice until then, Sanchez will surely pursue, and exit, and Chelsea will give him the green light, given his form. Rosenior’s axe could spell the end for Sanchez.