- Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea's top goalkeeper this season, but he has made several notable errors.
- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that Filip Jorgensen is now his primary goalkeeper.
- Jorgensen has played primarily in the Conference League and started Chelsea's most recent Premier League match.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has announced that Filip Jorgensen is now the team's number one goalkeeper.
The news follows a series of disappointing performances by starting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, particularly in their match against Manchester City.
The Spanish international has received strong support from the Italian coach on multiple occasions throughout the season.
Chelsea's goalkeeping situation is set to be clarified in the coming days, with the club expected to confirm the status of Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Kiko Casilla.
Sanchez has played 90 minutes in 21 out of 24 Premier League matches this season. He was an unused substitute in the matches against Southampton, Ipswich, and West Ham.
Maresca has continued to have faith in Sanchez even after his five errors this season, the most by any player in the league, as per BBC Sport.
After his mistake let Erling Haaland score for Manchester City, Maresca sent him a warning.
"Robert, he's fully aware that he needs to improve. He was fully aware of that after the game - he's well aware of it. Right now, that's the situation. The positive aspect is that he's the first one to acknowledge that he needs to do better," he said via Football London.
Jorgensen has made 14 appearances, but his usage has been limited to the Conference League.
Ahead of Chelsea's match against Brighton on Friday, Maresca stated that Jorgensen is his top choice at the moment.
Filip Jorgensen's solution was also to give Robert Sanchez some time to recover mentally and physically in general. The idea is not to change the goalkeeper from one game to another. In the last Premier League game against West Ham, it was Filip, and then in the FA Cup game, it was Robert, but our current goalkeeper is Filip.
Reactions to Maresca decision
@godons21:
By the time Maresca is finished with Sanchez, he will be playing his next football match at the Championship level.
@MobyChe:
It's reasonable for Jorgensen to continue playing. Sanchez has enjoyed a privileged position as the number one for two seasons, and he's done better this year. However, his tendency to make mistakes and be a liability holds him back.
@ChelseaPerspect:
Jorgensen, seize this moment and make the most of it. Ensure that you don't provide Maresca any reason to reconsider Sánchez.
@GrantHo16890702
I think we should always have him on the field in every match, not in goal, and I'm worried that putting Sanchez in goal will ruin our chances of winning the UECL trophy.
Who will succeed Nicolas Jackson?
3. Roberto Firmino"
Potential replacements for the player include Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, and Pedro Neto.