Robert Sanchez is back in the frame this weekend, just days after getting a red card against Manchester United.
Sanchez returns against Brighton despite red card
Robert Sanchez’s nightmare against Man United lasted barely five minutes. He charged out, clashed into Bryan Mbeumo, and was shown a straight red. Enzo Maresca was left scrambling, throwing on Filip Jorgensen and ripping up his original game plan.
Chelsea never found their rhythm and slipped to a 2-1 defeat. This comes even after Casemiro’s red offered them a lifeline. Normally, fans expect a long suspension when a keeper gets sent off, but Sanchez has escaped that fate. His offence was classified as denying a clear scoring chance, which carries only a one-game ban.
That ban has already been served in the Carabao Cup win over Lincoln. That means Sanchez is cleared for Brighton game.
Extra spice against his old club
The timing is nothing short of explosive. Sanchez will face the club he left behind. The Brighton fans are aware that his return will have its own personal storyline for Saturday’s match. Chelsea, by contrast, are in dire need of stability at the back. With Jorgensen still raw and Gabriel Slonina waiting in the wings, the goalkeeper spot remains shaky ground.
This fixture also throws up familiar names like Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, both former Seagulls now wearing blue. But not everyone is available, Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, is ineligible.
Maresca enters this match under real heat. The West London side is winless in three straight games. Also, Brighton won’t make life easy either. They’ve beaten the Blues in the last two meetings, and Fabian Hurzeler’s side are filled with confidence. For Sanchez, though, it’s more than just another league game.
Author’s Opinion:
Sanchez being back so soon feels like Chelsea dodged a bullet. But, unless Maresca fixes the bigger cracks, one goalkeeper won’t change the storm building over Stamford Bridge.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
