Robert Sanchez’s troubled start to life at Chelsea reached a new low during Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal, as a glaring error led to Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal and sparked unprecedented criticism from the Blues’ faithful. The Spanish goalkeeper’s position as Chelsea’s number one is now under intense scrutiny following what many supporters are describing as another disappointing performance at Stamford Bridge.
The incident, which saw Martinelli beat Sanchez at his near post, ignited a furious response from Chelsea supporters, with many taking to social media to express their frustration with the former Brighton keeper’s recent performances. The error proved particularly costly in such a high-stakes London derby, though Chelsea eventually salvaged a point through Pedro Neto’s equalizer.
The social media reaction to Sanchez’s mistake was swift and severe, with one prominent Chelsea supporter account declaring him “the worst keeper in our history.” The criticism focused not just on the specific error but on what fans perceive as a pattern of uncertain performances since his arrival at the club. Technical analysis from football experts highlighted poor positioning as a key factor in the goal, with one noting that there was “no need to be that far out from his near post.
The incident has reignited debate about Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation, with many fans drawing comparisons to previous goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. One supporter’s observation that “I don’t think Kepa was worse than this Sanchez guy” speaks volumes about the current level of discontent, given Kepa’s own troubled history at the club.
Despite the widespread criticism, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has consistently backed his number one goalkeeper, maintaining Sanchez as his first choice despite mounting pressure for a change. The upcoming international break provides Maresca with two weeks to work on addressing these concerns before Chelsea’s next fixture against Leicester City on November 23.
The situation is particularly frustrating for Chelsea supporters given the club’s history of world-class goalkeepers, from Peter Bonetti to Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. Sanchez’s struggles represent the latest chapter in what has become a problematic position for the club in recent years, with significant sums invested in attempting to find a reliable long-term solution.
To Sanchez’s credit, he did partially redeem himself later in the match with a crucial save from Mikel Merino’s effort, though Leandro Trossard’s missed follow-up perhaps spared him from further criticism. However, this moment of redemption did little to quell the overall concerns about his performances.
The goalkeeper’s struggles are symptomatic of Chelsea’s broader transitional period under new ownership and management. The club has invested heavily in reshaping the squad, but the goalkeeper position remains a significant concern that could potentially undermine their ambitions for the season.
The timing of this latest error is particularly unfortunate, coming in a high-profile match against local rivals Arsenal. Such fixtures often define seasons and careers at Chelsea, and Sanchez’s difficult moment will likely be remembered as a key talking point from this encounter.
Looking ahead, the pressure on both Sanchez and Maresca will intensify if performances don’t improve. The goalkeeper position is unique in football, where mistakes are often immediately punished with goals and where confidence plays a crucial role. Rebuilding Sanchez’s confidence while maintaining the team’s competitive edge will be a delicate balance for Maresca to strike.
The forthcoming international break could prove crucial in determining Sanchez’s future as Chelsea’s number one. While Maresca has publicly backed his goalkeeper, the two-week period provides an opportunity for careful evaluation of the position and potential alternatives within the squad.
As Chelsea continues their pursuit of returning to the Premier League’s elite, the resolution of their goalkeeper situation becomes increasingly urgent. Whether Sanchez can overcome this difficult period and silence his critics, or whether the club will be forced to seek alternative solutions, could prove pivotal in determining the success of their season.
