Robert Sanchez has been speaking to reporters regarding the added competition he will face at Stamford Bridge next season with Mike Penders set to challenge the Spaniard
Xabi Alonso
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso(Image: Qin Zhicheng/VCG)
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Robert Sanchez believes Xabi Alonso's "simplicity" will make him a better goalkeeper at Chelsea and thinks competition with Mike Penders next season will benefit the Blues.
Sanchez had - what many consider to be - his strongest season in a Chelsea shirt last time around. For the majority of the campaign, the Spanish goalkeeper was solid when called upon and some Blues supporters even started to chant his name.
That would have seemed a far cry from previous seasons where the majority of Chelsea fans were calling for the club to sign a new No.1 'keeper. However, it wasn't always easy for Sanchez last term. Under Liam Rosenior, Sanchez was suddenly dropped for Filip Jorgensen at such a crucial stage of the season.
Many felt Sanchez didn't suit Rosenior's style of play when it came to the intricacies of playing the ball out of defence. Since Alonso has been manager, though, there has been a level of simplicity - and that is something Sanchez appreciates.
"It is the simplification of things," said Sanchez on Alonso. "He is allowing me to do what I am best at. I have already played a lot of games in the Premier League and people know what I am good at or not.
"He is allowing me to do what I do best and that means my confidence is going to be boosted and I am going to play better and better. That is what is great about him."
Sanchez might not have it all his own way, though, in the upcoming season. Penders, who arrived at Chelsea last summer but spent the following campaign on loan with sister side Strasbourg, is set to compete with Sanchez for the No.1 jersey at Stamford Bridge.
Mike Penders
Mike Penders is set to compete with Robert Sanchez next season(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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The 21-year-old shot-stopper has recently joined up with the Chelsea squad for their pre-season tour after representing Belgium - but not making an appearance - at the World Cup. Sanchez has been left impressed with what he has seen from Penders in their short time together thus far.
Added competition and pressure can sometimes elevate players' performance levels and that is what Sanchez has predicted will happen when him and Penders go head-to-head next season.
"I think he is great," Sanchez said on Penders. "We already had him at the Club World Cup last year, he was there with us. He is a great, young goalie and he had a great season at Strasbourg last year.
"I think it is great for him to come here. It is great competition. He has massive potential. I think he is going to be a great 'keeper in the future, massive."
Asked if big clubs need two top goalkeepers, Sanchez answered: "Absolutely, you always do because you never know what will happen to the first-choice 'keeper," added the Spaniard. "If he is going to get injured or if he is going to go through a rough period.
"So you need someone, another choice to cover and push each other to elevate level. If you do not have someone that is pushing you every day, you get lazy and then the performance drops. I think it is always good to have one or two people pushing you every day."
On Penders' strengths, Sanchez said: "He is a tall guy, big, a massive, massive guy. He is 6ft 6in, 6ft 7in.
"He dominates the area well and is very calm. He just has a good presence to be around and a top guy as well.
"He is not rushing anything. He is checking every game, every area we are doing and we are slowly integrating new things. Day by day, we are learning more and hopefully getting better game by game."
There were social media rumours circulating in the week claiming Chelsea had an interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Sources, however, have assured that is not the case. Instead, Alonso is extremely happy with the goalkeepers he has at his disposal.
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