Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez still has a lot of improving to do and believes he needs to cope better with criticism from the club’s fans.
Sanchez was jeered by Chelsea supporters every time he caught the ball in the second half of their 3-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.
The Spain international was at fault for the equaliser just before the interval as he dropped a corner from Matheus Cunha to allow Matt Doherty to tap the ball over the line.
Sanchez has yet to convince the club’s supporters that he is the best option between the posts since joining from Brighton for £25million in 2023.
Maresca is still standing by the 27-year-old and wants him to remain his No 1 for the rest of the campaign, but he has offered no assurances about keeping his place beyond that and declared he expects more from him.
The Chelsea head coach said: “He’s getting better but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be.
“I’m not thinking about (if he will remain the No 1 for) the seasons coming. I’m thinking about this season. For this season? No doubt. But then in the future, we don’t know. It is not only about Robert. It is even about me, you know? I’m focused on this moment, this season.”
Chelsea take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night but it is at Stamford Bridge where the crowd’s displeasure over Sanchez is heard the most.
When asked about the sarcastic jeers Sanchez was subjected to against Wolves, Maresca added: “For sure, it is not very good for his confidence, but also Robert is a professional who has to learn to deal with that kind of moment. It’s experience for him.
“He has to improve also to deal with that kind of moment during a game at home where the fans, for any reason, are not happy. He has to manage that moment.
“I didn’t speak with Robert (about it this week). I consider that kind of moment part of our job. You have to learn that you have to deal with that. It’s already happened in the past with Robert and he did quite well.”
Chelsea return to action with a trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
GO DEEPER
Robert Sanchez has lost the Chelsea fans – is there anything he can do to win them back?
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
