From Dream to Reality: Robert Sanchez's Journey to Becoming Chelsea's New No 1

"Football can be a situation where the dynamics between a player, club, and manager don't always align, as explained by Robert Sanchez, Chelsea's new top goalkeeper. It is quite remarkable to witness the ups and downs and subsequent resurgence of one of the most highly sought-after young goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past year."

Sanchez was once regarded as a promising talent in the top-flight, being praised for his commanding presence in the goal, impressive shot-stopping abilities, and adeptness with the ball. He embodied the qualities of a modern goalkeeper.

However, his reputation suffered greatly during his unsuccessful stint at Amex last season, largely due to the rigid style imposed by manager Roberto De Zerbi. Within a short span of time, Sanchez lost his starting position to Jason Steele in March, resulting in a rapid decline in his value at just 25 years old.

Brighton agreed to a £25m offer from Chelsea in August, a price that would have been unthinkable just a year before. Bayern Munich, surprised by the high price, also considered making a move.

Now, Sanchez finds himself back in the limelight, thanks to Mauricio Pochettino and a team consisting of players worth £1bn. This opportunity allows Sanchez to regain the reputation he had worked tirelessly to establish.

During his time at Brighton, there were only seven goalkeepers who recorded a higher number of clean sheets between his first and last Premier League appearances. Additionally, in terms of completed passes, he was surpassed only by Alisson and Ederson. Moreover, he made more catches than Nick Pope and Emi Martinez.

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The statistics do not indicate that Sanchez is a poor goalkeeper. Although others may have lost confidence in him, Sanchez has always maintained a strong belief in himself. This self-belief initially led him to replace the popular goalkeeper Mat Ryan as Brighton's number one, and it has also carried him through a challenging period before his move to London. "If you don't have faith in yourself, why should anyone else?" he asks with a half smile at the Chelsea Cobham training base. "I believe that I performed well last season."

"He had a certain perspective on the team, but for various reasons, he did not consider me for the specific type of goalkeeper he desired. Instead, he opted for another player, Jason Steele.

"Steele was a better fit for his plans, and I genuinely feel gratified for him. De Zerbi had been nothing but supportive during my two and a half years as the goalkeeper, and now he has the opportunity he was hoping for."

De Zerbi alluded to something similar in March when he initially benched Sanchez. Although the Italian coach did not elaborate on the specifics, it became evident through Steele's impressive ball control in his provocative pressurizing approach.

Bournemouth

Chelsea

Sunday 17th September 1:00pm

Kick off 2:00pm

Sanchez's form had suffered too before he lost his place. He conceded more than five goals over his expected tally last season, but he didn't become a poor player overnight.

"I was quite calm," he comments. "I am aware of my ability as a goalkeeper. I am confident that I will play in some capacity, so I remained relaxed and anticipated my chance to arrive."

However, could he have anticipated being Chelsea's primary goalkeeper at the beginning of the summer? "I doubt I could have predicted that," he chuckles.

"As the transfer window progressed, I heard rumors, and when Chelsea reached out, I couldn't resist. The opportunity they presented and the plan they had for me were truly remarkable."

The fact that Levi Colwill, who was a dependable player in Brighton's defense last season, had already returned to Chelsea and would be there to welcome me at Cobham, made the decision even easier.

He was joined by Ben Roberts, Sanchez's goalkeeping coach throughout his time at Brighton, who also made the move to Stamford Bridge with Graham Potter in the previous year and remained there even after the head coach's brief stint. Additionally, the opportunity to work under Mauricio Pochettino was an enticing factor.

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Sanchez and Levi Colwill have been reunited at Stamford Bridge after playing together at Brighton last season

"This place truly exuded a genuine sense of a family atmosphere," he states. "Ben [Roberts] and I had a special bond, just like the one I shared with Moises Caicedo, [Marc] Cucurella, Levi [Colwill], and a couple of other Spanish speakers.

Ben understands my capabilities; he has always regarded me as one of the best and played a significant role in facilitating my move - he spoke highly of me and played a part in bringing me to Chelsea. I hold deep affection for him; we have had an extraordinary relationship for seven years, and it was my desire to come here and collaborate with him."

I had been competing against many of the boys for several years, and I had also engaged in a few conversations with the manager, so I am well aware of the type of manager he is.

He possesses the ability to discern when to push you towards improvement, when to offer comfort and support, and when to provide guidance. Notably, he excels in tactical management, but his true strength lies in understanding each player individually, recognizing our unique qualities, and extracting the best from each of us.

Sanchez's journey to restore his reputation as one of the top Premier League players will be a lengthier process compared to his return to the first-team. The pressure on the team, still adapting to the global spotlight, and the continuous adjustments made by Pochettino to the lineup, further hinder this rebuilding process.

Having observed the value of time and patience under Potter's guidance at the Amex Stadium, Sanchez understands that these qualities are not readily available at Stamford Bridge, as Coach Potter himself experienced firsthand in April.

"We have a fantastic manager, an excellent staff, and an incredibly talented group of individuals. However, it's important to note that our team is relatively young. Although this notion has been reiterated countless times, it remains true that our players have joined us from diverse backgrounds, creating a new environment for them. Consequently, patience is required as we steadily progress. Our primary focus is on winning, as it brings us unparalleled joy, and we are confident that we will eventually achieve our goals."

A much-needed boost could be expected at the Vitality Stadium this Sunday, as Bournemouth continues to struggle without a victory this season. Regardless of the result, Sanchez remains steadfast in his belief.

Watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea live on We Premier League from 1pm on Sunday, kick-off 2pm