Brighton are reportedly ‘open’ to letting Robert Sanchez go to Chelsea or another side, as the ‘die is cast’ for the goalkeeper, who could be enticed by a reunion with goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts.
After working his way up to being the Seagulls’ no.1 mid-way through the 2020/21 campaign, Sanchez had a good period between the sticks. Indeed, he played the entire second half of that season in the Premier League, as well as missing just one game the following campaign.
He began last season as the first-choice goalkeeper, but fell out of favour to Jason Steele. It seems what followed has made Brighton’s decision to not reintegrate him into the side.
Indeed, The Athletic reports the Spaniard ‘refusing to sit on the bench’ as cover for Steele did not go down well. The report continues to suggest ‘the die is cast’ regarding his future at the club, as they left him out of their pre-season tour.
A move away could therefore be on the cards, as the Seagulls are ‘open to the possibility’ of either loaning him out or selling him, as it ‘makes sense for all parties’, given the goalkeeper’s current situation.
Chelsea are mentioned as a potential destination, as Sanchez ‘had a strong bond’ with goalkeeper coach Roberts at the AMEX, before he left to take up that role with the Blues.
It’s stated the move is an ‘obvious possibility’ due to that relationship. That Chelsea let Edouard Mendy leave to move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer means they could well be on the lookout for a new stopper.
It’s unclear as yet how Mauricio Pochettino feels about Kepa Arrizabalaga, but it’s said his side need a new man ‘to compete’ with the Spaniard.
With that being said, moving for a goalkeeper who is out of place at his current side, and has just a couple of years left on his deal so may not be that expensive, is a transfer that would make sense.
Whether or not Chelsea go for it remains to be seen, but Sanchez seems a good option to offer competition for Kepa, having performed well during his time at Brighton before being dropped simply because Steele was seen as a better option to play the ball out from the back.
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