Joe Hart knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s loss to Man United at the weekend was spurred on by a fifth-minute sending-off of Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, after he took out Bryan Mbeumo to deny a clear opportunity.
There could be no protests from the Chelsea players. It was a blatant red.
That rash decision by Sanchez put the notion of getting a first win in 12 years at Old Trafford out of reach.
It’s not the first time the Chelsea number one has made a poor decision that has cost the team, and Joe Hart isn’t too optimistic about Sanchez changing his ways.
Joe Hart delivers damning verdict on Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez
Sanchez was close to the chopping block last summer after an unconvincing campaign. He bought himself at least another season with a superb showing at the Club World Cup, but the doubts over him have merely taken a backseat in the minds of Chelsea fans.
Hart likes Sanchez, but he is honest about his thoughts on the Spaniard.
On BBC Sport’s Monday Night Club, the former England keeper had this to say about Chelsea’s number one: “He keeps getting credit in the bank because he’s such a talented goalkeeper.
“He’s very athletic, and on his day, he’s a dominant goalkeeper. He comes for things. He’s very, very springy. He’s a big, tall man, and he makes electric saves when his day is flying.”
These are the attributes that have landed him in this role under Enzo Maresca, but there’s one problem. Consistency.
Hart goes on to say: “Unfortunately, as a goalkeeper, especially in the Premier League at the top, you can’t just be an on his day player.
“You’re not a striker. You can’t just score a goal and then be horrendous for the rest of the game, and no one really cares about it.”
The inconsistency concerns are nothing new, but the fact that they keep resurfacing every couple of months indicates that it’s not going to be fixed.
“That will never go away from him. That will just never go until he can have a rock-solid season, and Robert Sanchez just doesn’t look like he’s capable of that at the moment,” Hart concludes.
Chelsea poised to finally sign Mike Maignan
Chelsea have been linked to Mike Maignan for some time now, but have been uncharacteristically ineffective in their pursuit.
Maignan will be available for free this summer as he enters the final months of his contract with AC Milan. Chelsea have long been interested in prying him from the Italian giants, and this looks to be as good a chance as any for them to get their man.
Sanchez has served the club well, especially this summer, but Hart’s point about consistency is as true now as it was for most of last season.
He’s not of the standard to win a Premier League or a Champions League.
If, every season, the narrative around Sanchez is reset, then Chelsea fans will be having the same discussions year after year. It’s time to bite the bullet and replace the Spanish stopper with a world-class alternative.
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