Mark Schwarzer has expressed that Robert Sanchez remains a ‘challenge’ for Chelsea, even though the goalkeeper has shown significant improvement over the past six months.
Since his transfer to Chelsea for £25 million from Brighton in 2023, Sanchez has notably decreased his number of mistakes and has made a strong impression in the ongoing season.
However, Schwarzer believes that Sanchez’s inconsistency continues to be a concern, suggesting that past errors still linger in fans’ minds, making him a target for criticism.
“His consistency is the issue,” Schwarzer stated in an interview. “At a prominent club, you need to be reliable. Just look at goalkeepers like Andre Onana at Manchester United and Gianluigi Donnarumma at Man City.”
Despite acknowledging his recent enhancements, such as making crucial saves and performing admirably in the Club World Cup final, Schwarzer noted that Sanchez still struggles with ball distribution and decision-making.
“For a team aiming to achieve greatness, particularly in the Champions League and Premier League, having a world-class goalkeeper is essential. Sanchez has potential, but he has more to improve upon,” he added.
He emphasized that any mistakes made by Sanchez would prompt fan backlash because of his previous form. Despite this, manager Enzo Maresca appears pleased with Sanchez, designating him as the first-choice goalkeeper, which Schwarzer believes benefits the player’s confidence and performance.
