Gary Neville is left baffled by Robert Sanchez's decision-making in Chelsea's defeat by Man City after his mistake, and suggests Club should replace struggling goalkeeper after poor display


Gary Neville has criticized Robert Sanchez's performance in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by Man City.

Sanchez, 27, has established himself as Enzo Maresca's first-choice goalkeeper this season, starting 21 of his 23 Premier League games.

However, the Spaniard's screens have become increasingly error-ridden and Sanchez was at fault again against City when he recklessly ran out of his area before being launched by Erling Haaland as the hosts went 2-1 up.

That came after Sanchez made an error in Chelsea's 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday and no player has made more errors leading to an opposition goal in the Premier League this season than the Blues stopper.

Sanchez was even taunted by visiting supporters at the Etihad during the second half and was attacked by Neville after Haaland's goal.

“What's the goalkeeper doing?” Neville said in the comments. 'Why is he there? Such a poor, poor decision.

Gary Neville has criticized Robert Sánchez's performance in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by Man City

Gary Neville has criticized Robert Sánchez's performance in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by Man City

Sánchez made another mistake when he was thrown by Erling Haaland after leaving his area

Sánchez made another mistake when he was thrown by Erling Haaland after leaving his area

Neville questioned what Sanchez was doing and said Chelsea may need a new goalkeeper.

Neville questioned what Sanchez was doing and said Chelsea may need a new goalkeeper.

Speaking later on the Gary Neville podcast, The Man United Legend added: 'We need to talk about the goalkeeper. That wouldn't have been a goal if the goalie wasn't 25 yards from his line on the edge of the box.

'What are you doing? I mean he's making a lot of mistakes and I remember a few years ago he was quite hard on Karius at Liverpool when he came and made mistakes.

'Liverpool were a team that were growing to a point where they could win the title, but they wouldn't have won a title with Karius in net because he was making too many mistakes.

'It's too important a position and I think Chelsea at this moment will have to look at their goalkeeper.

'It's obvious because he's making too many mistakes, week after week. He gets his way some weeks, but he didn't get his way today. It was a mini turning point in the game.

Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill echoed Neville's thoughts and insisted, although Sanchez has put in good displays this season, he must do much better.

'It's a strange decision by the goalkeeper,' he said. 'You can see it from his reaction. He is frustrated with himself because he has taken a high position.

'He's stranded a bit. You're not going to make up that distance. As soon as he comes out, Haaland makes up his mind.

Neville claimed that Sánchez is making too many mistakes for Chelsea to progress as a team

Neville claimed that Sánchez is making too many mistakes for Chelsea to progress as a team

Gary Cahill highlighted Sánchez's good displays, but said the Chelsea stopper must do better

Gary Cahill highlighted Sánchez's good displays, but said the Chelsea stopper must do better

Chelsea's No 2 Filip Jorgensen has played just two games in the Premier League this season

Chelsea's No 2 Filip Jorgensen has played just two games in the Premier League this season

'I think the Chelsea manager really likes him. They show him faith in him, but obviously in that position if he makes a mistake, you get punished and he needs to eradicate it from his game.

“The noise comes from making mistakes, there is a bit of pressure on your back from making mistakes and a couple of times this season it has done that.”

Cahill continued: 'He also kept them in games at times and I've seen him produce some incredible saves.

“He can play from the back which Enzo (Maresca) wants to happen in terms of build-up, but he needs to eradicate these mistakes.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp called out Sanchez's lack of 'common sense', before highlighting the possibility of back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen replacing the Spaniard and explaining why his lack of form is a major problem for Chelsea.

“If you're playing any other position, rest,” Redknapp explained. 'But when you're a goalkeeper it's a little different.

'The problem is that I don't think the other goalkeeper (Jorgensen) is maybe at that higher level, so Maresca is probably thinking about what to do.

'(Sanchez's form) makes everyone nervous, and now it's becoming very public. Chelsea fans get nervous when he's on the ball, and they worry if he's going to make a mistake and compound it by doing things like today.

Jamie Redknapp called out Sanchez's lack of common sense and said his form is worrying

Jamie Redknapp called out Sanchez's lack of common sense and said his form is worrying

Enzo Maresca raised the possibility of replacing Sánchez when speaking after the game

Enzo Maresca raised the possibility of replacing Sánchez when speaking after the game

'Today it is purely decision-making. That's a bad decision he makes, he doesn't have to turn out like him. If you stay on target, you probably won't score.

'So it's just poor goalkeeping from their point of view. The only thing you can do is work hard in training, keep doing the right things and change this way that hasn't been good enough. But it's not looking good for him right now.

Chelsea's No 2 Jorgensen has featured just twice in the Premier League this season, although he has been a regular in cup competitions, racking up 13 appearances in total.

And, speaking after the city defeat, Maresca raised the possibility of replacing Sánchez with the Danish stopper.

“We trust Robert for sure, but at the same time he is aware that he is making mistakes,” Maresca said. “We continue to trust Robert, but we have a whole week, we see the reaction and decide for the next games.”

Maresca previously admitted that Sánchez is “still far, far from where I want him to be” and that the 27-year-old's long-term future appears under threat.

“Robert sure is fully aware that he has to do better,” the Chelsea boss added. 'He knows perfectly well. At this moment it is like that. He is the first to know that he has to do better.

Chelsea dropped to sixth after the defeat, with Maresca's side returning to action a week on Monday when they host West Ham.



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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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