Xabi Alonso has been urged to make a ruthless decision and drop Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez following the team's Premier League opening win over Fulham. Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes Sanchez's latest error-strewn performance should be the final straw.
The Blues edged a five-goal thriller at Craven Cottage, with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and debutant Morgan Rogers all on the scoresheet. Despite the attacking display, the defence looked less than secure, partly due to another shaky outing from the 28-year-old goalkeeper, who joined from Brighton three years ago.
Leboeuf's verdict on Sanchez
Speaking to ESPNFC, Leboeuf said: 'I felt they were shaky like everybody else. You know as a defender at the back when you don't have a Barthez or a great goalkeeper you don't feel confident, therefore you get shaky.'
He added: 'You see on the second goal with Colwill he should've got on the ball with the header and you have nobody behind to save you when you make a mistake.'
Leboeuf continued: 'It's hard to be a goalkeeper because you have nobody behind you but we know Sanchez. We have known him for a while and that he can do mistakes.'
'But when you play for a club like Chelsea and you see what they can do offensively they were perfect the three guys up front scoring three goals away from home that's great, but you cannot waste that by making silly mistakes.'
Alonso's response
Sanchez left too much room at his near post for Josh King's equaliser and was slow to get down, the shot zipping between his wrists and in. Alonso, however, refused to criticise the goalkeeper after the match.
'It's not about individuals,' said Alonso. 'We can adjust a few things. The first goal, we can do better to defend, to avoid that.'
'It's part of the game. We need to accept and to learn. This is going to be a process. All the lines – strikers, midfielders, defence, goalkeeper – we want to do better in everything.'
'The goal was to start good. It's been a good start. Relax and carry on.'
