There are a handful of players in this Chelsea side struggling to show the best versions of themselves. But for Robert Sanchez, the issue is more long-term, and Glenn Hoddle’s verdict is more proof of that.
A 3-0 hammering at Everton was exactly what Liam Rosenior didn’t want. A dreadful result, after a horror run of results. One win in six Premier League games and an 8-2 blitz by PSG in the Champions League.
The Chelsea boss is under intense pressure, and to some, perhaps rightly so. Others feel the problems are more long-term, and Rosenior is just the unfortunate man in the hot seat trying to deal with the issues.
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Everton v Chelsea - Premier League
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Rosenior cannot control the mistakes on the pitch. Wesley Fofana and Sanchez couldn’t get their timing right for the first, and the second is just embarrassing for the poor Spaniard. Nothing is going right.
Glenn Hoddle’s opinion shows Robert Sanchez is a lost cause
There have always been doubts around Sanchez. The facts are that the former Brighton star is an excellent shot-stopper and is solid with his feet. But his concentration lapses, and his decision-making is poor.
Rosenior had his head in his hands during the defeat at Arsenal when Sanchez lost the ball on the edge of his own area. This is nothing new. But Hoddle’s comments suggest Chelsea need to cut their losses.
Everton v Chelsea - Premier League
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He told Premier League Productions: “I just think he’s a bit unlucky. That hits a firm part of the body, a knee or an ankle, it spins away. Then we say, oh what a good save, he’s blocked it. But it hit a softer part.
“I can’t really say I blame him there. He’s very unlucky, he’s looking at himself saying, oh that’s just my luck at the moment. In fact, he made a bigger mistake in the first half, which Chelsea got away with.”
Not only is Sanchez struggling for form, but Hoddle says luck is not on his side either. Ultimately, this is a player who is making mistakes and even when he does all he can, as Hoddle suggests, he lacks luck too.
Robert Sanchez wouldn’t be playing if Liam Rosenior had his way
Ever since Rosenior came in, he has been intrigued by Filip Jorgensen. He started the Dane against Charlton in his first game and then again, in his first Champions League game as manager, against Pafos.
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Following that display against Arsenal at The Emirates in the 2-1 league loss, Rosenior had had enough. He started Jorgensen against Villa and kept him in the net for the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Mistakes were made, but Jorgensen has since picked up an injury and undergone an operation. If fit, it is easy to imagine that Jorgensen would have been playing against Everton on Saturday night. But he isn’t.
It means Rosenior is left with Sanchez in net and it clearly isn’t working. With the mistakes he’s making, and luck evading him, Sanchez is a lost cause and Chelsea simply have to replace him this summer.
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