New signing: ‘I will chose Choose Chelsea over again’, Player has great expectations on his move to stamford bridge

In general, Chelsea entered the summer expecting to replace either one or both of Édouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga with a new first-choice goalkeeper. Links to players like André Onana and Mike Maignan were made, among others, but Robert Sánchez, a goalkeeper who had spent ten years with Brighton & Hove Albion (beginning as a teenager in their system), lost his job and was searching for a way out, was the one we ended up with. Oh, and Kepa continues to be the team’s top choice while Gaga Slonina (likely) leaves on loan.

So that’s perhaps not our most ideal outcome in this situation, though for Sánchez himself, it’s an amazing opportunity to get his career back on track. He is, after all, just 25, which is very young for a goalkeeper, and he had been highly rated before the travails of last season. He’s also reunited with his former coach at Brighton, Ben Roberts, who’s stayed on with Chelsea after Graham Potter’s sacking and has also joined Mauricio Pochettino’s staff — which already included a goalkeeper coach in Toni Jiménez (and Hilário’s still here, too!).

Although Kepa may have had a respectable season last year, his hold on the position doesn’t seem to be very secure (though I could simply be making assumptions here). In either case, Sánchez is obviously thrilled to join the Blues and is looking to seize any possibilities we may present him with.

“Selecting Chelsea is the best decision I could have made because of the incredible chance they have provided in front of me to grow as a goalkeeper, to keep growing, to compete for the position, and to demonstrate to everyone how excellent I can be. I also wish to contribute to Stamford Bridge’s legend.

“[I’m] really excited. Amazing opportunity to work with [Pochettino], a coach of that level. I watched him at his past clubs what he’s done. What he brings to the club, the family ambiance being around the players is really good, his playstyle is something that suits really well, and I’m going to contribute to win trophies at the club with him.”

-Robert Sánchez; source: Chelsea TV

The greatest Chelsea goalkeepers, certainly on the modern era, all arrived as less-heralded players in their own right, before becoming some of the best in the world. No shortage of inspiration for Sánchez!

Also, the grey patterned goalkeeper shirt with the reflective, color-shifting badge is fantastic.