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New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has praised Robert Sanchez's performance in the recent 2-2 draw against Wrexham in their pre-season friendly. This comes amid reports that the Blues are close to sealing a deal for Filip Jorgensen with Villarreal.
Sanchez started the game and was replaced at half-time by Lucas Bergstrom. He didn't concede during the first half of the match.
Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring for the Blues with his 35th-minute strike. Luke Bolton (58') and Jack Marriott (71') scored to put Wrexham up 2-1. Lesley Ugochukwu's 82nd-minute strike salvaged a draw for the Blues in their pre-season game.
Maresca praised Robert Sanchez after the game, telling the media (via Bobby Vincent of football.london):
"Robert Sanchez did very well tonight, fir sure the way we want to play it's very important, I am very happy with Robert."
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Filip Jorgensen over a long-term contract. They have reportedly sent a €20 million bid to Villarreal.
Jorgensen's imminent arrival would add him to the Blues goalkeeping ranks that already have Robert Sanchez and Dorde Petrovic. Sanchez was the first choice between the sticks for the west Londoners for a major part of the 2023-24 season.
He made 21 appearances, keeping five clean sheets. Sanchez, however, committed a few massive errors as well, costing his team. While the Spaniard isn't expected to be sold this summer, Jorgensen's arrival adds to the challenge to his place as the number one choice shot-stopper.
Robert Sanchez confident of being Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper
Chelsea have started their pre-season for the 2024-25 campaign under Enzo Maresca. Robert Sanchez is working to adapt to the new coach's philosophy and is looking to prove his worth as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Journalist Ben Jacobs recently asked the Spaniard whether he is confident of being the first pick between the sticks.
Sanchez said (via Chelsea News):
"I am training hard to get that position. I'll get some minutes and we'll go from there. I always think playing with feet is my game. I feel really comfortable with what [Maresca] wants. He has explained what he wants from me and I've been doing it in training, and it's looking really good at the moment."
Sanchez further added that playing with feet is essential to the Blues' style. He also reckons a goalkeeper at a club of this size needs to be gutsy as well as skillful.
