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Robert Sanchez: Career Path of Chelsea’s New Goalkeeper

Robert Sanchez
"Weston-Super-Mare 6 Forest Green Rovers 6 - Robert Sanchez in goal" by quisnovus is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
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The Blues have added Sanchez to their ranks as Edouard Mendy’s replacement.

Robert Sanchez is a Spanish goalkeeper who recently made headlines with his transfer from Brighton to Chelsea.

As the Spanish goalkeeper prepares to start a new chapter in his career, let’s review his path from Levante’s academy to the English top flight.

Early Career

Robert Sanchez was born on November 18, 1997, in Cartagena, Spain. He began his football journey at the youth academy of Levante UD, where he honed his goalkeeping skills. His exceptional performances at the youth level earned him a move to Brighton’s U18 side in 2013.

Breakthrough at Brighton

Sanchez worked his way through Brighton’s academy ranks and caught the attention of the club’s coaching staff with his impressive shot-stopping abilities and composure on the field. His dedication eventually earned him a professional contract with the club in June 2015.

Premier League Debut

After two loan spells at Forest Green and AFC Rochdale, Sanchez was ready to fight for Brighton’s No.1 spot. The Spaniard finally made his Premier League debut with a clean sheet against Fulham in December 2020.

Spanish International

Sanchez’s performances in the Premier League did not go unnoticed by the Spanish national team. In September 2021, he received his first international call-up to the senior squad, making him the third-choice goalkeeper behind David De Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Sanchez earned his first Spain cap in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia, where he played for 16 minutes in his side’s 4-0 win. A year later, he played again for Spain in a friendly match against Jordan.

Move to Chelsea

Despite his brilliant start at Brighton, Sanchez quickly fell out of favour with Graham Potter’s successor, Roberto Di Zerbi. The Italian boss dropped Sanchez from his pre-season squad ahead of the 2023-24 season, paving the way for his exit.

After a few weeks of negotiations, Chelsea reached a £25 million agreement with Brighton for the goalkeeper. The move is a significant turning point in Sanchez’s career, offering him the chance to compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Blues’ No.1 spot.

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