Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has openly taken the blame for the mistakes of his new goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez. After a £25 million move from Brighton, Sanchez has faced criticism for his blunders, notably his costly error against Arsenal. Pochettino, however, staunchly defends him, redirecting any blame towards himself.
Unsteady Start of Sanchez
Since joining Chelsea, the Spanish shot-stopper has played all 11 matches, managing only four clean sheets. His most glaring mistake came during the recent clash with Arsenal, where a misplaced kick led to an easy goal for Declan Rice.
This proved pivotal, causing Chelsea to settle for a draw despite leading 2-0. Additionally, in a match against his former club, Brighton, Sanchez nearly gifted a goal to Joao Pedro with a misguided pass.
However, Pochettino is quick to point out that he encourages his keeper to play from the back, and thus any error in doing so should be attributed to the manager’s tactics rather than the player’s execution.
Pochettino’s Vote of Confidence
Pochettino remains steadfast in his support for Robert Sanchez, emphasizing the holistic nature of football.
“Football is about mistakes,”
Pochettino remarked. The manager insists that the entire team shares responsibility, starting with the coaching staff who instill the playing philosophy. According to Pochettino,
“Robert is doing what we ask of him. Everyone can make mistakes, whether it’s missing a pass or a penalty.”
Pochettino remains optimistic about Sanchez’s potential and highlighted the keeper’s resilience and character.
Building Stamford Bridge as a Fortress
Looking ahead, Chelsea’s recent home record is a cause for concern. With just one victory in their last 12 league games at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino is keen to reinstate their home ground as an intimidating venue for visiting teams.
“It’s crucial for us to establish momentum at home. Our fans need to see consistency and solidity from us,”
stated the Chelsea boss. He remains hopeful that they can deliver a winning performance in their upcoming fixture to boost the team’s confidence and make a statement to their loyal supporters.
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