The 1905 Club

Maresca Reaffirms Trust in Sánchez Despite Costly Error in Chelsea’s Loss to Man City

Enzo Maresca expressed continued faith in goalkeeper Robert Sánchez despite his fifth error leading to a goal this season during Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Original Source

The Athletic

Written by

26 Jan

9:52

Squad News

The1905.Club Summary

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has defended Robert Sánchez following another costly mistake in the team's defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Sánchez's decision to rush off his line allowed Erling Haaland to score a pivotal goal, increasing pressure on the 27-year-old goalkeeper. While acknowledging Sánchez's repeated errors, Maresca emphasized his trust in the player but stated that the goalkeeper must show improvement in the coming weeks. The defeat dropped Chelsea further down the Premier League table, as Maresca’s side struggled to maintain their defensive discipline and resilience against City’s attacking prowess.

Key Points

Costly Error by Sánchez:
- Sánchez's misjudged charge off his line in the 68th minute enabled Haaland to chip the ball into an empty net, marking Sánchez’s fifth error leading to a goal this season.
Maresca’s Public Backing:
- Maresca reaffirmed his trust in Sánchez, highlighting the goalkeeper’s awareness of his mistakes.
- The coach stated that the decision on Sánchez’s starting role for the next match will depend on his performance in training this week.
Match Context:
- Chelsea initially took the lead through Noni Madueke but failed to maintain momentum.
- Josko Gvardiol equalised, and Haaland and Phil Foden added to City’s tally to secure the win.
Team Accountability:
- Maresca emphasised that Sánchez’s mistakes are part of a larger team effort that needs improvement, noting the goalkeeper’s professionalism and determination to do better.
Next Steps:
- Chelsea have a week to prepare for their upcoming match against West Ham, with Sánchez’s role under scrutiny as Maresca evaluates his options.