Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
To be a Chelsea manager, you have to be many things. Liam Rosenior’s sacking proves you need aura, you need tactical intelligence, but perhaps above all, you need to be absolutely ruthless.
BlueCo’s model over the last four years has meant that Chelsea have a small army for a squad. The club has made a dent in that over the past couple of weeks, with Nicolas Jackson the latest player to depart.
Marc Guiu is expected to follow him to Leipzig, while Enzo Fernandez is expected to miss Sunday’s clash against Brighton. Alonso cannot rest on his laurels; he must be ruthless and axe players when required.
Chelsea cannot afford second chances; such is the size of the club and the pressure of fans. Fernandez has burned his bridges. Robert Sanchez was given a chance this season, but he’s ruined it, and now, he’s off.
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Xabi Alonso makes Robert Sanchez decision ahead of Brighton
Sanchez will have been confident that he would be Chelsea’s no.1 for the foreseeable future, until his two dismal mistakes against Fulham in the 3-2 win. Chelsea are now signing Emi Martinez from Aston Villa.
Robert Sanchez of Chelsea
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With Chelsea keen to keep Mike Penders, Alonso has been ruthless. Finally, Sanchez has been told he needs to find a new club. Reporter Simon Phillips says Alonso has told Sanchez to find a new home.
“Chelsea have told Robert Sanchez to find a new club by the deadline. The alternative is staying and becoming the club’s 3rd choice option. Work in progress; buying clubs have made contact last 2 days.”
Who starts in goal against Brighton? All signs point to Penders
Martinez’s arrival is yet to be announced, and given the news regarding Sanchez, it looks as if Mike Penders may now retain his place between the sticks after keeping a clean sheet against Luton Town.
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League
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Indeed, Penders has the chance to end a 35-year run caused by Sanchez if he manages to keep a clean sheet. But Alonso has been ruthless with Sanchez, and fans will be delighted to see the decision made.
It is something that many previous Chelsea managers should have done and actually, Rosenior did but was forced to return to Sanchez when Filip Jorgensen got injured. Now, Alonso has followed through.
Against Aston Villa and for the first leg of the Champions League clash against PSG, Rosenior started Jorgensen. But the latter’s injury meant he was forced to bring Sanchez back into the starting line-up.
Where could Sanchez end up before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline?
Realistically, Sanchez will do well to find himself a Premier League move before the end of the window. No club goes into a Premier League season still needing to sign a goalkeeper. A move abroad is likely.
A return to Spain feels like the most likely scenario, while there is interest from Saudi Pro League sides. The latter option gives Chelsea and Sanchez a bit more time, with the window ending on September 6.
But there is no doubt. The former Brighton goalkeeper is leaving Chelsea, Alonso has made the right decision, and finally, Blues fans have been heard. Martinez is a considerable improvement on Sanchez.