TalkSPORT pundit argues why £60k-a-week player could still come good at Chelsea

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Andy Townsend has put together an argument as to why Chelsea’s under-fire player could still yet come good at Stamford Bridge.

Overall, it’s been a positive start to the new season for Chelsea. The Blues squad is getting positive results in both the league and cup competitions, so Enzo Maresca deserves big credit for settling quickly as the club’s manager.

There’s still be a few early bumps in the road despite the feel-good factor around Stamford Bridge.

Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, 26, is someone who’s had an up and down time of it already. He’s regained his position as the number one in-between sticks and impressed in certain games, but he was also guilty of two poor errors that led to goals in the recent victory against Brighton.

Sanchez took to Instagram with a message of defiance after his weekend blunders versus Brighton.

• READ MORE: What Enzo Maresca did after Robert Sanchez’s two mistakes against Brighton

Andy Townsend discusses Robert Sanchez

TalkSPORT pundit Andy Townsend has actually defended Chelsea’s Sanchez amid widespread criticism and argued he’s got the right profile to be a great goalkeeper for them if he cuts out the errors.

The £60,000-a-week Spaniard (Spotrac) is an excellent shot-stopper with a huge presence, but there’s definitely question marks around him building out from the back and his decision-making.

Townsend told talkSPORT: “Robert Sanchez is a huge profile. A big presence, but he’s got a wreck in him as a goalkeeper. I think he’s got to somehow try and eliminate that a little bit. He got himself in a mess trying to play out in the game against Brighton at the weekend. He’s got all the tools to become a proper goalie.”

What should Chelsea do?

For now, Chelsea should stick with Sanchez in the league to see if the good outweighs the bad. He’s been excellent in a few games in the early weeks of the season, but criticism is rightly hanging around him because of his inconsistency.

In the meantime, Filip Jorgensen is his understudy and the young 22-year-old keeper should play every cup match.

We’re yet to know if Jorgensen has the qualities to overtake Sanchez in the pecking order, but it’s something to keep an eye on in the months ahead.

Chelsea must be aware that long-term they need a world-class gloveman. The jury is very much out on whether that’s Sanchez, though.