After the signing of Axel Disasi on a 5-year contract from Monaco. Chelsea have opened talks with Brighton Albion for Robert Sánchez, according to The Athletic.
Of course, the West London club have Kepa Arrizabalaga. Nevertheless, they want to have more hands at the goalkeeping position ahead of this season.
It’s confirmed that Robert Sánchez has already agreed to join Chelsea. As a result, negotiations are currently ongoing with the Seagulls for the goalkeeper.
Frankly, the West London club are expected to sign both Moisés Caicedo and Sánchez from Brighton Albion. The 2023-2024 campaign is definitely going to be interesting.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has already agreed personal terms with the Blues. And he’s most likely to sign a 5-year contract with the West London club.
Also, Brighton Albion will want a fee close to £25 million or £30 million for the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, there’s never an easy negotiation with the Seagulls as a club.
According to Daily Mail, Mauricio Pochettino has given the green light to sign the Spaniard. Which means the manager wants him at Stamford Bridge this season.
After what happened in the 2022-2023 season. Chelsea wants competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, and they have many goalkeepers on their radar.
They have the likes of André Onana, who recently joined Manchester United, and others. However, they have now settled on Robert Sánchez of Brighton Albion.
Robert Sánchez stats for Brighton in the Premier League
23 matches (23 starts)
6 clean sheets
1.3 goals conceded
2.1 (62%) saves
-5.49 goals prevented
1/6 penalties saved
75% pass accuracy
0.1 interceptions
0.6 clearances
The 25-year-old goalkeeper is Premier League proven. As a result, he has the ability to establish himself at Chelsea, without flopping under Mauricio Pochettino.
Since Edouard Mendy moved to Saudi Arabia. The West London club wants a new goalie, who can compete very well with Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the manager making decisions.
The Blues have been flawless on their USA pre-season tour. Of course, they were able to win the 2023 PL Summer Series, defeating Fulham and others.
As a result, they want to have a balanced and equipped squad this season. Because they would want to go far in all competitions, particularly in the league.
Robert Sánchez’s stats vs Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa (2022-2023)
24.9 (81%) short passes
4.1 (42%) long passes
3.1 (73%) saves
Sánchez (2021-2022)
24.3 (63%) short passes
3.3 (55%) long passes
2.7 (71%) saves
Obviously, Kepa Arrizabalaga may not be consistent at Chelsea. However, he’s twice as good as Robert, according to their statistics in the Premier League.
As a result, Sánchez doesn’t look like a competition for Kepa. He looks like a backup goalkeeper for his countryman, having seen their performances.
On the other hand, Robert’s statistics at Brighton Albion were impressive. Having been just 25-year-old, he still has enough room for improvement in the future.
Chelsea would have signed André Onana, who can compete very well with Kepa. However, the Blues felt reluctant to pay the asking price to Inter Milan.
Who is Robert Sánchez?
The 25-year-old Spaniard’s story is very interesting. At least, he’s one of the street footballers, who have the ability to make waves in any league in Europe.
Robert started his goalkeeping career at Levante UD. And he dazzled impressively throughout his youth career at the Spanish club.
However, he joined Brighton Albion at the age of 15, thanks to his father, who is English. Of course, he’s considered one of the Seagulls Academy products.
In June 2015, Sánchez became a professional. Meanwhile, he didn’t make any first-team appearances until June 2028.
In the 2018-2019 season, he joined Forest Green on loan. As a result, he made 17 appearances for the club, keeping two clean sheets in those games.
Amazingly, Robert Sánchez returned to Brighton Albion in January 2019. However, he was the club’s fifth choice goalkeeper back then.
The 25-year-old Spaniard went on another loan under Graham Potter. At least, he made headlines at the club in League One.
Therefore, the Spanish international didn’t make any appearances for Brighton Albion in 5 years. It was such an interesting story.
Meanwhile, his time came in 2020-2021 season. He made his debut against Tottenham in the Premier League, making some waves in the game.
Since then, he has been starting matches for Brighton Albion. And he literally became the fans’ favorite, making back-to-back appearances.
Unbelievably, for the reminder of the 2020-2021 season. He made 67 appearances for the Seagulls, making 66 saves and keeping 10 clean sheets.
The goalie was dining with the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. He had 37% saves, making him on the same level as Edouard Mendy, Ederson, and Martínez of Aston Villa.
What are Robert Sánchez strengths?
The 25-year-old Spanish goalkeeper may not be on the same level as Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, he’s one of the top goalies in the Premier League.
As a result, he has some attributes, making himself a dependable and reliable goalkeeper. That’s why he will shine at Chelsea.
Robert Sánchez’s biggest strength is distribution. The Spaniard has the ability to distribute passes, both long and short, as a goalie.
In all fairness, the Spanish international is one of the top-3 goalies for distribution in the league. His distributing ability is second to none in the EPL.
In addition, bravery on the ball; Robert is very cool on the ball, he plays comfortably under pressure. He doesn’t flinch, regardless of the opponent’s pressure.
Frankly, both Sánchez and Kepa Arrizabalaga are comfortable on the ball. Which means Mauricio Pochettino is ready for this season.
Also, the Spanish international is good at cross collection. He’s very good at aerial commanding, crosses or set-pieces don’t get past him on the pitch.
He played a massive role in Brighton Albion’s making it to European competition this season. He was one of the Seagulls best players last campaign.
Kepa Arrizabalaga does miss some crosses at Chelsea. Frankly, that’s where Robert is better than him, but not entirely. His countryman is also a reliable goalie.
Another strength to consider is his positioning and physicality. The 25-year-old Spaniard’s athleticism allows him to bully opponents players.
He’s very strong on the ball, inside the box. At the same time, Sánchez usually positions himself very well inside the box, he barely commits errors.
The Seagulls goalie is also good at 1v1 saves and stop-stopping. He made 62% of his saves for Brighton Albion in the Premier League last season.
Without being sentimental, Robert saves 1v1 shots with ease, thanks to his positioning. And he always wins comfortably, regardless of the opponent.
What are Robert Sanchez’s weaknesses?
Actually, the Spanish international doesn’t have any significant limitations. He’s good enough to become Kepa Arrizabalaga’s backup at Chelsea.
The Blues goalkeeper manager has improved the Spaniard. It was obvious during their USA pre-season tour under Mauricio Pochettino.
One of Sánchez’s weaknesses is saving long shots. Despite the fact that he’s a brilliant shot-stopper, he’s poor at saving shots from distance.
Frankly, he’s no different from Kepa Arrizabalaga. Because he’s also poor at keeping long shots, having seen his all-around statistics at Chelsea.
Even though he’s an amazing distributor as per passes. His long passes are weak, he doesn’t have the ability to make long passes.
Having been just 25-year-old, he can get better under Mauricio Pochettino. And he’s most likely to learn many things from Kepa Arrizabalaga.