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Pundit Jamie O'Hara has called out Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez as a problem and a potential mitigating factor to the club's success this season. The Spanish international has firmly established himself as the club's first-choice shot stopper, having joined from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
Chelsea signed Sanchez reportedly for £25 million in the summer of 2023 and made him a starter after Kepa Arrizabalaga left the club for Real Madrid on loan. The 27-year-old lost his place in the starting XI to Djordje Petrovic from December, only regaining the spot after Enzo Maresca's appointment in the summer. He has gone on to play every game in the Premier League this season despite appearing shaky, at times.
O'Hara spoke about the goalkeeper on talkSPORT after the Blues defeated Leicester City 2-1 in their league meeting on Saturday. He said:
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"Chelsea are looking good you know. They’re a bit shaky at the back still. Sanchez, the goalkeeper, is a massive problem. He’s terrible."
"Teams that win the league don’t have a bad goalkeeper. When you look at title winners, they all have one of the best goalkeepers in the world," O'Hara added.
Robert Sanchez retains the trust and confidence of Blues coach Enzo Maresca despite his errors in a number of games. The club signed Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal in the summer to compete with him, but the Dane has only been used in cup games so far.
Sanchez has made three errors leading to goals this season, while also giving away three penalties, one of which he saved. The Spaniard has come under pressure this season but won his side four points against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
Maresca will monitor his performances and make a change if the need arises, as he has shown this season with other players.
Chelsea star doubtful for Heidenheim Conference League clash
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is a doubt for the Blues' meeting with German Bundesliga outfit Heidenheim in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday. The 21-year-old centre-back left the pitch walking gingerly after helping his side claim a 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
Colwill was one of nine players to pull out of the England squad for the UEFA Nations League games last week due to injury. The youngster, however, managed to complete 90 minutes at the King Power Stadium but did not leave the pitch without some battle scars.
Levi Colwill crashed onto the turf at the final whistle, needing extensive treatment from the Chelsea medical staff before eventually getting back into his feet and leaving the pitch. The England international was ill ahead of the game but battled through it, and will likely be given a rest from the squad when the Blues travel to Germany.
