Sanchez’s blunder handed Man City the victory.
Image credit: Manchester City
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has hinted that goalkeeper Robert Sanchez may be dropped following his costly error in the team’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Sanchez’s reckless decision to rush out of goal allowed Erling Haaland to score City’s second, further damaging Chelsea’s chances in the Premier League.
The Spain international has now been involved in five errors leading to goals this season, prompting Maresca to address his performance openly.
“We trust Robert for sure but in the same moment he is aware that he is making mistakes,” Maresca said post-match. “We continue to trust Robert but we have an entire week, see the reaction and decide for the next games.”
Maresca further emphasized that Sanchez knows the standards expected from him.
“Robert for sure is completely aware that he has to do better,” Maresca added. “He knows perfectly. In this moment it’s like this. He’s the first to know that he has to do better.”
Sanchez was not the only one under scrutiny. In a match that saw Chelsea slip to a 3-1 defeat, Manchester City also saw a debutant endure a rough time.
Abdukodir Khusanov, City’s new £33million signing, made a disastrous error, gifting Noni Madueke an early opener.
Khusanov’s debut match was marred by an error.
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However, City manager Pep Guardiola praised the resilience of his team, especially the way they supported Khusanov after his mistake.
Guardiola said, “He knows he made a mistake. He’ll take a lesson. He’s so young. It’s not easy against these incredible players of Chelsea. I loved the reaction of his mates. He’ll learn. I made the substitution for the yellow card he had, not the mistake.”
With Chelsea now preparing for a crucial home fixture against West Ham, Maresca will closely monitor the reaction of his players, particularly Sanchez, as they look to recover from the disappointment of the defeat to Manchester City.
This defeat highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards within the squad, with Maresca clearly stating that players must consistently meet the club’s expectations to keep their place in the team.
Chelsea’s performance in the match may not have been exceptional, but Maresca remains optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back.
“We came back emotionally. Maybe we weren’t exceptional, we missed a little bit with the high line – we didn’t find players in behind (enough) – but the situation we’re in, a 3-1 win against Chelsea and against a friend I admire, is really important,” he stated.
As Chelsea moves forward, the spotlight will remain on Sanchez’s response to the mounting pressure. Maresca has already shown his willingness to make changes if necessary to maintain the team’s performance level.