Robert Sanchez looks despondent
Robert Sanchez has come in for heavy criticism after his performance against Fulham(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
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Even though he was part of a winning team that produced a very encouraging first Premier League display under Xabi Alonso, Robert Sanchez would be well-advised to stay away from social media for a while. Oh, and not catch up with the thoughts of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher after Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Fulham.
“We have to be careful about criticising players or goalkeepers, but …,” and you can guess the rest from Neville. The Sky Sports pundits were scathing in their criticism of Sanchez and were supported by the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who posted their views online.
The pile-on was a little over the top. Sanchez was certainly at fault for Fulham’s first goal and would have hoped to do a little better ahead of their second. But the all-round defending for Gonzalo Garcia’s goal was shoddy, to say the least.
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Yet add these opening-day lapses to last season’s sprinkling of mistakes, and the issue is as painfully clear as many are making out. Without European football to clog up their calendar and with a reshaped squad that suddenly looks balanced - not to mention a high-calibre, proven manager at the helm - Chelsea should be title contenders.
But contending will be a lot tougher if Sanchez is the first-choice keeper. That is the stark reality. And that is not just based on the errors at Craven Cottage.
Sure, they are well-blessed with keepers, but 28-year-old Sanchez has only three caps for Spain and did not make the squad for the World Cup. That tells you something.
Aaron Ramsdale makes a gesture to the fans
Aaron Ramsdale was ruthlessly replaced as Arsenal's first-choice keeper in the summer of 2023(Image: Getty Images)
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Alonso has a duty of care to a player who is already coming in for some fierce, personal criticism, but it goes without saying that managers need to be ruthless to succeed at the highest level. Being ruthless with keepers is particularly crucial.
The best recent example is Mikel Arteta replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya at the start of the 2023/24 season. Don’t forget, Arteta’s decision was not based on Ramsdale making the sort of notable errors that Sanchez has made.
Ramsdale had just signed a new long-term contract and had been named in the PFA Team of the Year after the 2022/23 season. Arteta’s brutal decisiveness took a little while to pay dividends, but it certainly has.
The same proved true in the summer of 2016 after Pep Guardiola told Joe Hart he would not be the goalkeeping future of Manchester City. At the time, Hart was a keeper who had two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and 63 England caps to his name (Guardiola’s decision meant Hart won only 12 more caps).
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso walking along the touchline
Xabi Alonso refused to criticise Robert Sanchez after the Chelsea keeper's display against Fulham(Image: Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)
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One of the most famous examples of one-off ruthlessness came after Manchester United and Crystal Palace had played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the 1990 FA Cup final. For the replay, Alex Ferguson dropped Jim Leighton - his trusted friend and keeper from their Aberdeen days - and played Les Sealey, winning the game 1-0 to collect his first trophy as United manager.
Considering their positive attitude towards the transfer market, it is a surprise that Chelsea and Alonso began their Premier League campaign without recruiting a fresh goalkeeping option. When it became clear James Trafford would be leaving Manchester City, Chelsea should have been in the mix for his signature.
The problem now, of course, is that clubs will be aware of Chelsea’s needs and will demand top dollar. But there are options out there. Diogo Costa has a £51million release clause in his Porto contract, while Borussia Dortmund might be tempted to cash in on Gregor Kobel.
After only one game of the Premier League season, it is harsh on Sanchez, who still has a good career ahead of him. But whoever Chelsea decide to pursue, they have to pursue someone before the transfer window closes - otherwise, an unlikely title challenge becomes very unlikely.
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