Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has strongly backed his teammate and fellow Spaniard Robert Sanchez, who recently lost his place as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Sanchez has faced intense criticism this season for several costly mistakes that led to goals, prompting head coach Enzo Maresca to replace him with Filip Jorgensen in Chelsea’s most recent Premier League match against West Ham United.
The Blues secured a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, helping them climb back to fourth place in the league standings. However, one of the biggest discussions after the game was Maresca’s decision to finally drop Sanchez, a change many fans had been demanding.
Chelsea supporters have grown frustrated with Sanchez’s performances, as his errors have led to multiple conceded goals. His latest mistake allowed Manchester City to equalize due to poor decision-making. With pressure mounting, Maresca made the tough call to bench the goalkeeper for the crucial clash against West Ham.
While many expected the Spanish shot-stopper to start, Maresca opted for Jorgensen instead. This move was seen as a wake-up call for Sanchez, signaling that he must improve if he hopes to regain his starting role.
Cucurella remains confident that Sanchez will bounce back from this setback. In a recent interview, he emphasized that his teammate must stay focused and continue working hard, as setbacks are a normal part of any footballer’s career.
“It’s difficult,” Cucurella admitted. “But sometimes, stepping away from the spotlight for a while can be good. It allows a player to focus on improving without too much pressure. Everyone who comes to Chelsea experiences tough moments at some point.”
Cucurella believes Sanchez will get another chance and encouraged him to be ready when that opportunity arrives. He added, “The most important thing is to keep working hard. When his chance comes again, he must be prepared to take it. He has the quality to turn things around for the better.”
Having played together at Brighton, Cucurella and Sanchez share a strong friendship. The Chelsea defender revealed that he has been providing emotional support to Sanchez during this challenging period.
“I told him to stay calm. Every footballer goes through tough times,” Cucurella said. “The key is to keep training hard and working even harder. I have known him for years, and I will always be there for him if he needs anything.”
Although Sanchez’s future remains uncertain, Chelsea’s main priority is to finish the season strongly. With a chance to return to the Champions League, every player in Maresca’s squad must be at their best.
Cucurella stressed that the team’s success comes first. “Today, the team won, and that’s what matters,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who plays in goal, as long as Chelsea keeps winning.”
Sanchez now faces a crucial period where he must convince Maresca that he deserves another chance. While it remains unclear whether he will reclaim his starting spot, with hard work and support from his teammates, he could still play an important role in Chelsea’s season.
