Robert Sánchez
Spanish footballer.
Robert Sánchez, born on November 18, 1997, in Cartagena, Spain, has emerged as a prominent goalkeeper in English football. His journey to Chelsea FC in 2023 marked a significant milestone in his career. Sánchez's rise through the ranks at Brighton showcased his potential, leading to his Premier League debut in 2020. His performances caught the eye of top clubs, culminating in a £25 million transfer to Chelsea. At Chelsea, Sánchez quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, donning the prestigious number one jersey. His towering presence at 1.
97 meters tall provides a commanding figure between the posts. Sánchez's journey from Spain to England at a young age demonstrates his determination and adaptability. His multicultural background, with a Jamaican-English father and Spanish mother, has contributed to his diverse skill set. Sánchez's career trajectory has been marked by steady progression, from loan spells at Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale to becoming a Premier League regular. His move to Chelsea represents a new chapter in his career, where he aims to solidify his status as one of the top goalkeepers in English football.
Early life & youth football
Sánchez's early life and youth career laid the foundation for his professional success. Born in Cartagena, he began his football journey at just four years old. His interest in the sport was sparked by watching his uncles play, and he quickly gravitated towards goalkeeping. Sánchez's childhood was characterized by hyperactivity, which ironically led him to choose a position that required less running around the field. He honed his skills at local clubs like Escuela de Fútbol de Santa Ana, Cartagena FC, and Ciudad Jardín before joining Levante in 2010. At 15, Sánchez made the bold move to England, joining Brighton's youth setup.
This transition marked a crucial turning point in his development, exposing him to English football culture and training methods.
Professional career
After joining Brighton's youth setup at the age of 15, Sánchez progressed through the ranks and became a regular fixture for the U21 team. His performances for the youth side caught the attention of the club's coaching staff, leading to his first professional contract in June 2015. During his time with the U21s, Sánchez honed his skills and adapted to the English style of play, which differs significantly from what he was accustomed to in Spain.The young goalkeeper's impressive displays for the U21s earned him a new three-year contract with Brighton in April 2018, signaling the club's faith in his potential.
This period was crucial for Sánchez's development, as he gained valuable experience training alongside senior goalkeepers and facing high-quality opposition in youth competitions.In June 2018, Sánchez was sent on loan to Forest Green Rovers for the 2018–19 season to gain first-team experience. This move marked his first taste of senior football in England. Sánchez made an immediate impact, starting in the opening game of the season against Grimsby Town, where Forest Green secured a 4-1 victory.
During his time at Forest Green, Sánchez made 17 appearances, all in League Two. This loan spell provided him with invaluable experience in a competitive environment, facing the challenges of lower league football. His performances were impressive enough for Brighton to recall him in January 2019 to provide cover as their first-choice goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was called up for international duty.Following his stint at Forest Green, Sánchez joined Rochdale on loan for the 2019–20 season.
This move represented a step up in competition, as Rochdale played in League One. Sánchez made his debut for the club in a 3-2 away win over Tranmere Rovers.The loan spell at Rochdale further enhanced Sánchez's reputation and provided him with more experience at a higher level of English football. His performances during this period caught the eye of Brighton's management and paved the way for his eventual breakthrough into the first team.
These loan spells were crucial in Sánchez's development, exposing him to the rigors of professional football and helping him mature as a goalkeeper.The 2020/21 season marked Robert Sánchez's breakthrough at Brighton. After returning from his loan spell at Rochdale, Sánchez initially found himself as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Mat Ryan and Jason Steele. However, his opportunity came on November 1, 2020, when he made his Premier League debut against Tottenham in a 2-1 defeat.
This appearance signaled the beginning of Sánchez's rise to prominence at Brighton.As the season progressed, Sánchez established himself as Brighton's first-choice goalkeeper, displacing the more experienced Mat Ryan. His performances were impressive enough to earn him a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Brighton in February 2021, demonstrating the club's faith in his potential. Sánchez's commanding presence in the box, combined with his shot-stopping abilities, made him a key figure in Brighton's defensive setup.
Throughout the season, Sánchez made 27 Premier League appearances, keeping 10 clean sheets. His performances played a crucial role in Brighton's successful battle against relegation, with the team finishing 16th in the league. Sánchez's form also caught the attention of the Spanish national team, leading to his first call-up in March 2021 for World Cup qualifiers. This season was a turning point in Sánchez's career, transforming him from a promising youngster to a Premier League regular and international prospect.
The 2021/22 season saw Robert Sánchez firmly establish himself as Brighton's undisputed number one goalkeeper. Building on his breakthrough season, Sánchez started the campaign as the first-choice keeper and maintained his position throughout the year. His performances were crucial in Brighton's improved league standing, with the team finishing 9th in the Premier League, their highest-ever finish in the top flight.Sánchez made 37 appearances in the Premier League this season, keeping 11 clean sheets.
However, the season was not without its challenges. On November 6, 2021, Sánchez faced a significant setback when he was sent off in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United for fouling Callum Wilson who was through on goal. This incident highlighted the areas of his game that still needed improvement, particularly his decision-making in high-pressure situations.Despite this setback, Sánchez bounced back strongly.
One of his standout performances came in a 4-0 victory over Manchester United on May 7, 2022. In this match, Sánchez not only kept a clean sheet but also contributed to Brighton's attack with a long-range pass that played a crucial role in Pascal Groß's goal. This performance showcased Sánchez's all-round abilities as a modern goalkeeper, capable of both shot-stopping and distribution. The season further cemented Sánchez's status as one of the Premier League's most promising young goalkeepers.
The 2022/23 season proved to be a challenging one for Robert Sánchez at Brighton. Despite starting the season as the first-choice goalkeeper, Sánchez faced increased competition and eventually lost his place in the starting lineup. This turn of events marked a significant shift in his career trajectory at Brighton.In the first half of the season, Sánchez maintained his position as Brighton's number one goalkeeper.
However, as the season progressed, he faced challenges in maintaining his form. The turning point came in the second half of the season when Brighton's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, made the decision to replace Sánchez with long-standing backup keeper Jason Steele. This decision was a blow to Sánchez's status within the team and led to speculation about his future at the club.Despite losing his starting position, Sánchez did have some notable performances during the season.
On March 19, 2023, he kept a clean sheet in Brighton's 5-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Grimsby Town. He also played in a crucial 2-1 away win against Chelsea on April 15, when Steele was injured. However, these performances were not enough to regain his regular starting spot. The season ended with uncertainty surrounding Sánchez's future at Brighton, setting the stage for his eventual transfer to Chelsea in the following summer transfer window.
Robert Sánchez's move to Chelsea in August 2023 marked a significant milestone in his career. The transfer, reported to be worth an initial £20 million plus £5 million in add-ons, saw Sánchez sign a seven-year contract with the Blues. This move came after he had fallen out of favor at Brighton in the latter part of the 2022/23 season.Upon joining Chelsea, Sánchez was initially assigned the number 31 shirt.
However, following Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan move to Real Madrid, he switched to the prestigious number 1 jersey, signaling his status as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.Sánchez made his Chelsea debut on August 13, 2023, in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League. His performances quickly garnered praise, with former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley describing him in October 2023 as possibly "Chelsea's smartest signing" due to "the positive effect he's had on a team which is in transition".The 2023/24 season saw Sánchez establish himself as Chelsea's primary goalkeeper under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
His shot-stopping abilities, combined with his comfort in possession and distribution skills, made him a good fit for Pochettino's style of play.
National team
Sánchez's youth international career with Spain showcased his potential as a future national team goalkeeper. He represented Spain at various youth levels, including the Under-19 and Under-21 teams. These experiences provided valuable exposure to international football and helped him develop his skills against top young talents from around the world. Sánchez's performances in youth tournaments caught the attention of Spain's senior team selectors, setting the stage for his eventual promotion to the full national squad.
His time with the youth teams allowed him to refine his technique, improve his decision-making, and gain confidence in high-pressure situations. The experience of representing his country at youth level instilled a sense of pride and responsibility that would serve him well in his senior career.Sánchez's senior international career with Spain began in impressive fashion. He received his first call-up to the senior national team in March 2021 for World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia, and Kosovo. His international debut came on September 5, 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia, where Spain secured a 4-0 victory. This debut marked a significant milestone in Sánchez's career, establishing him as part of Spain's new generation of goalkeepers.
He was subsequently included in Spain's squad for UEFA Euro 2020, which was held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he didn't feature in the tournament, his inclusion demonstrated the faith placed in him by the national team management. Sánchez's international career has seen him compete with other talented Spanish goalkeepers for the number one spot, pushing him to continually improve his game.
Player’s style
Sánchez's style of play is characterized by his commanding presence in the penalty area, facilitated by his impressive height of 1.97 meters. He excels in aerial duels and has a strong ability to claim crosses, providing security to his defense. Sánchez is known for his quick reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, often making spectacular saves.
His distribution skills have improved significantly over time, allowing him to contribute to his team's build-up play from the back. Sánchez's composure under pressure and ability to read the game have made him a reliable last line of defense. His style combines traditional goalkeeping virtues with modern requirements of the position, making him a well-rounded and valuable asset to both Chelsea and the Spanish national team.