Robert Sanchez’ errors has been Chelsea’s nemesis—he has committed more errors leading to goal than any other Premier League player.
The name Petr Cech resonates deeply with many Chelsea fans, who can’t help but smile at its mention. It’s a name that carries legendary status not only for Chelsea but also for the Premier League as a whole. Cech didn’t just bear the name—he performed extraordinarily, setting a high standard for goalkeepers at the Bridge. Even the snake, sorry Thibaut Courtois, his controversial successor, managed to thrive in his shadow.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping succession has historically been steady. Courtois was replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga, followed by the transition from Kepa to Edouard Mendy, then Mendy to Djordje Petrovic, and now Robert Sanchez. Each shift marked a new chapter in the club’s goalkeeping lineage.
Undoubtedly, a promising decade of goalkeeping stability was cut short by Kepa Arrizabalaga’s inconsistency. The former Athletic Club man’s repeated errors under Frank Lampard left the manager with no choice but to swiftly turn to French Ligue 1 club Rennes for the services of Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Mendy made his mark at Chelsea, playing a pivotal role in their Champions League triumph, most notably with a record-breaking nine clean sheets en route to the Blues’ UCL trophy victory. However, Mendy’s success was fleeting. Just a year after Chelsea’s triumph, he moved to Al Ahli, paving the way for Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez to take over.
Robert Sanchez: A Mixed Bag
Since joining the Blues, Sanchez has been a consistent presence between the posts. Remarkably, he boasts the highest save percentage in the 2024-25 Premier League season, despite conceding over 60 goals in 46 appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side. The former Brighton goalkeeper has excelled at the fundamentals of shot-stopping, but his distribution has proven to be Chelsea’s Achilles’ heel.
An Unwanted Spotlight
Sanchez holds an unenviable record this season. The 27-year-old Spaniard has committed more errors leading to an opposition shot (8) than any other goalkeeper in the league. He also tops the charts for errors directly resulting in goals (5) and has conceded two additional penalties. These statistics paint a troubling picture for a team with ambitions as high as Chelsea’s.
The Need for a Modern Goalkeeper
The Blues are in desperate need of a more reliable, modern goalkeeper—one who can seamlessly blend traditional shot-stopping prowess with the ball-playing skills demanded by today’s game. While Sanchez has shown flashes of brilliance, his recurring mistakes highlight a weakness that Chelsea can ill afford to ignore.
