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It’s not often that a new head coach comes on board so close to the semi-finals. However, four days have passed since his mild aperitif against Charlton in the FA Cup, Liam Ronnie Or Stride out of the cramped Stamford Bridge tunnel into a last-four two-leg tie against England, the best team in Europe at the moment. and arsenal Around town, it’s a night for veteran stars to make a statement.
Enter Robert Sanchez. Selected for the first time carabao cup Making his debut this season – ahead of domestic cup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen – it was a night to forget, perhaps even written off as chelseaHe is the number one goalkeeper. Well, at least for now it’s number one.
although arsenal will feel This tie should be invisiblethere is another way to look at the glass. In short: without Sanchez’s mistakes, chelsea At least it will be level. The Spaniard’s first mistake came when he waved his hands feebly at a corner kick. Ben White Nod dutifully and go home. His second goal was even more disastrous, as he cleverly deflected the ball from a cross into the path of Victor Jacques, a comfortable catch despite the slippery conditions on a wet night in west London.
There’s no quiet start here in the Chelsea manager’s fiery cauldron. Sanchez was Ronnie Orr’s first port of call in his first post-match press conference at the Bridge and his tone was likely to be repeated in the coming weeks, with his players’ defense being resolute.
“I asked Rob to do something he’d never done before,” Ronnie Orr said. “I said it to him before the game, and I said it very clearly, when my players make mistakes, I’m responsible. That’s my responsibility.”
“It’s Rob’s first game with me and I’ve been working with him for two days. I’ve got to leave my mark on the team. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to hurt the results by doing this but I need to make sure we’re winning now but we’re improving to get to where we want to be this season. It’s a really good advantage.”
How finely Ronnie Orr wants to play the route will likely determine his early fate. Still, while Sanchez said some praiseworthy things to the media, his first impression of his new manager was entirely unconvincing.
After just seven minutes, Sanchez was weakened by those around him. Joao Pedro’s marking of White was non-existent, of course, but in the melee within the six-yard box – especially given Arsenal’s unstoppable set-piece prowess – the goalkeeper had to be the dominant force. However, Sanchez was meekly brushed aside in the aerial duel.
Of course, Chelsea fans will know this is nothing new. Last season, Sanchez made five critical errors that resulted in goals, the most of any player in the Premier League.
More important than that mistake, however, was the fact that as the first half progressed, Sanchez really struggled with the ball at his feet. Chelsea fans have expressed their anger on several occasions when the Blues goalkeeper and his two centre-backs, Wesley Fofana and Trevor Chalobah, timidly passed the ball to each other without purpose or speed. They narrowly escaped Arsenal’s high pressure on several occasions.
As the second half progressed, frustration boiled over in the stands when Sanchez inexplicably allowed the ball to squirm beneath him and into the Jokeres goal from White’s cross. “Don’t do this again!” It was more of a straightforward instruction than a plea.
Sanchez did make a fine late save from Mikel Merino to keep Chelsea level, but even in the closing seconds he seemed a bit incompetent in his role in Chelsea’s build-up play from the back. He has to learn – and he has to learn quickly if he wants to stay on the team.
What’s fascinating is the route Ronniol took from here. Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea BlueCo owners, has thrived this season under the leadership of 20-year-old Belgian player Mike Penders. No prizes for guessing which club he’s on loan from.
This may well be the solution for the summer. Now, Ronnie Orr has a big decision to make regarding his defensive players. His words suggest he’ll stick with it for now.
“There were a lot of positives to Rob’s performance,” he added. “You’ll know I protect my player. I ask him to do something. If he makes a mistake and does what I ask him to do, that’s my responsibility.
“I’m very confident that in the long run we as a team will improve with the message we send him in all games. My job is to help them, not blame them.”
But will Sanchez be the goalkeeper for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in three weeks’ time? Or, more relevantly, Saturday’s Premier League game against Brentford? Frankly, don’t be surprised if he isn’t.