Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca defends Robert Sanchez over inconsistent distribution

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that he will stop selecting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez if he deviates from taking risks with his passing.

As soon as he replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, it became apparent that Maresca would be restoring Sanchez between the sticks.

In his nine Premier League starts during 2024-25, Sanchez has conceded 11 goals and kept just the two clean sheets, one of them at Bournemouth featuring a first-half penalty save.

Nevertheless, there has been frequent criticism for some of the Spaniard's decision-making when he has the ball at his feet with such mistakes having led to goals.

Although Sanchez was not at fault for Newcastle United's goal in a 2-1 victory for the Blues on Saturday, it was again a topic for debate in Maresca's post-match press conference.

© Imago

'They are my mistakes'

Speaking to reporters, Maresca emphasised that he will continue to demand that Sanchez play in the same way or he will be dropped from the starting lineup.

The Italian said: "He also did so many good [things]. In the end, that is football. I am the guy who asks Robert to do that. And Robert is going to do that. In the moment he stops to do that, he is not going to play.

"If Robert makes a mistake, it's not Robert's problem, it's my mistake because I asked that from Robert. I am very happy with Robert and the way he is playing, building from the back.

"All the goal kicks we have and he passes the ball to Noni [Madueke], and Pedro [Neto], that kind of ball that gives us many times chances to attack. Sometimes you make mistakes but it is not going to change the way we are going to play."

© Imago

What happened in the match itself?

Chelsea end the weekend in fifth position in the Premier League table courtesy of their 2-1 win over the Magpies.

Nicolas Jackson put the West Londoners into the lead in the 18th minute before the visitors equalised through Alexander Isak 14 minutes later.

Within 75 seconds of the restart, Cole Palmer low drive inside the near post settled the game, Chelsea winning for just the second time at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this season.

The two teams lock horns yet again on Wednesday when Chelsea make the trip to the North East for an EFL Cup fourth round tie.