On Talksport today, Andy Jacobs was looking back at Chelsea’s narrow win over Leicester. One thing he couldn’t work out was why Robert Sanchez suddenly came back into the team to replace new first choice goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic:
“I don’t understand managers who pick the second keeper for vital games… Why play Sanchez, who’s definitely inferior to Petrovic?” the pundit asked.
We couldn’t agree more.
With outfielders, it makes sense. You’ve got a player back from injury, you want them to get some match minutes to get up to speed, and they may well feature quite regularly as a sub.
Andy Jacobs: “I don’t understand managers who pick the second keeper for vital games… Why play Sanchez, who’s definitely inferior to Petrovic?”
{talkSPORT} pic.twitter.com/KxuQ2c5c5L
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) March 19, 2024
With goalkeepers, it’s not really the same. Their fitness requirements are not the same. Yes they might play better with more “competitive minutes” as Mauricio Pochettino put it when asked to justify his decision, but what’s the point in getting Sanchez prepared for a run in the team that may never happen by weakening your team for a game that actually is happening?
We just don’t see the logic in that, and the coach was made to look foolish for his decision by yet another shaky Sanchez showing, including more errors on the ball and some fault in the Axel Disasi own goal.
You made a great call in dropping Sanchez for Petrovic in the first place, Mauricio. Don’t undermine your own decision now.
I was shocked to the marrow when I saw Sanchez in post. Infact hell would have broken loose if we had lost that match. Poch, be careful.