Chelsea TV presenter tells club to replace 'concerning' player

10/03/2024 04:09 AM

Chelsea TV presenter Jason Cundy believes the Premier League club need to ‘replace’ current first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in order to win ‘major trophies’.

The Blues have enjoyed a somewhat surprisingly strong start to the new season but Cundy says Sanchez is a ‘concern’ and could prevent Enzo Maresca from bagging major silverware.

Following an opening-day defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City, Chelsea have taken 13 points out of a possible 15 to climb to fourth in the table, just two points off early leaders Liverpool.

There were concerns former Leicester City boss Maresca would struggle to get a tune out of a talented but bloated squad but Chelsea have in fact been one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League and scored more goals than anyone else.

Chelsea have also largely impressed defensively but showed vulnerabilities last weekend in an eventful 4-2 win over Brighton.

Ex-Chelsea defender Cundy was alarmed by Sanchez’s performance in the Stamford Bridge victory and says his former club need to get in a more secure goalkeeper to challenge for major trophies.

Sanchez appeared to be signed as a back-up goalkeeper when he arrived from Brighton in the summer of 2023 but has emerged as Maresca’s No. 1 following the departure of fellow shot-stopper Djordje Petrovic on transfer deadline day.

‘I think Robert Sanchez probably will be replaced at some stage,’ Cundy, who works for the club as a presenter on Chelsea TV, told talkSPORT.

‘He's a good shot-stopper and there are times when he pulls off brilliant saves, but overall I don't think Chelsea can win a major trophy with him in goal. That's an area of concern.’

Analysing Sanchez’s performance against Brighton, Cundy added: ‘Do you know what? Again, goalkeepers being asked to play the ball at the back.

‘He makes two ricks for the two goals. That’s what happens when goalkeepers give the ball away.

‘He gives them the first one. He’s come out looking like Superman. A challenge he can’t win.

‘The second one, giving the ball away into the box. We were cruising at stage 3-1. Brings it back to 3-2.

‘Obviously, it’s like, where’s Cole Palmer? We need another goal. Give us another goal, Cole. And he does.

‘But yeah, Sanchez… the selection of pass, choice of pass, make the right decision.’

Another former Chelsea player, John Obi Mikel, also doubts the club’s title credentials while Sanchez is between the posts.

'He had a nightmare in the first half, he was at fault for the first two goals so for me, that's a concern but apart from that we are looking very, very strong,' he said on The Obi One Podcast.

'Of course, the two games before that he performed very, very well but you want to be a title-winning team, you need a top, top goalkeeper.

'Let's not kid ourselves, we don't have that. No disrespect to Robert Sanchez, he's a fantastic goalkeeper but we need a top, top goalkeeper to compete.

'If he wants to become a top goalkeeper, he needs to start putting in those performances.

'We know he's not very good with his feet, that's not a problem but we need a goalkeeper that's assured in the goal, can make saves but I watched the game on Saturday and he was at fault for both goals.'

Chelsea continue their Europa Conference League campaign against Gent on Thursday night before returning to Premier League action on Sunday against Nottingham Forest.

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