Robert Sanchez forces pundit retreat after 'constant Chelsea criticism'

Robert Sanchez has forced Troy Deeney to backtrack and praise him after a rare clean sheet in the 3-0 Chelsea victory over Aston Villa this Sunday.

The former Watford striker admits has long been critical of the 27-year-old keeper, regularly highlighting his mistakes on various platforms.

But a strong showing on 1 December, particularly to keep Ollie Watkins at bay, got him a surprise place in Deeney’s BBC Sport Team of the Week.

In his column the pundit said. “I have criticised Sanchez on multiple podcasts, radio shows and Match of the Day because I think he is the reason that they are going to ultimately end up missing out on the top four.”

However, after Sanchez kept a rare clean sheet, Deeney was compelled to acknowledge the goalkeeper’s improvement. “For the first time in a long time, he got a clean sheet – so you have to give him some credit and say well done to him.”

Enzo Maresca’s side have risen up to joint-second in the Premier League table on 25 points while Villa drop to 12th on 19 points.

Chelsea should sell Robert Sanchez next season

Football Insider opinion

The Spanish international has committed more errors leading to a goal in the top five leagues this season than any other player (three).

Sanchez put in an unconvincing performance as Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by title rivals Liverpool earlier in the season where he clumsily challenged Reds midfielder Curtis Jones in the box only for his blushes to be spared when VAR overturned the penalty decision, as he had gotten a slight touch on the ball.

That was indicative of his standing in the eyes of man Blues fans, where he is seen as a weak link in their expensively-assembled side.

His weak attempt to save a late Jordan Ayew penalty in the 2-1 win at Leicester also didn’t look good, but he did come good as Enzo Maresca’s side blew Villa away at Stamford Bridge.

On the whole he has been a disappointing though so he is going to need to follow that performance up with far more like it if he is to keep the gloves long term, especially with Filip Jorgensen pushing for a domestic place.

In Premier League title defining games, goalkeepers at elite clubs like Chelsea cannot afford to make mistakes which Sanchez has done on more than one occasion repeatedly.

In other news, Chelsea have responded to Aston Villa’s swoop for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

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