The principle motive that Chelsea regarded so frail was the continued presence of Robert Sanchez between the sticks. The Spaniard has been their No.1 goalkeeper for the most effective a part of three seasons now, regardless of the numerous apparent flaws in his sport, and Alonso pays the value if he continues to again him.
Josh King’s close to publish strike that introduced Fulham again to 1-1 ought to have been pushed away simply by Sanchez, however he acquired his positioning all mistaken and will solely assist the ball on its approach into the online. He was additionally at fault for Gonzalo Garcia’s 54th minute aim, palming a shot from Timothy Castagne straight into his compatriot’s path, and acquired extraordinarily fortunate late on when United States star Antonee Robinson volleyed vast after the ‘keeper was caught in no man’s land by an extended ball ahead.
“We have to settle for and be taught from them [the mistakes],” Alonso mentioned after the sport. “That is going to be a course of. All of the traces, from the strikers, the midfielders, the defence, the goalkeepers, we wish to do higher in the whole lot.” If Sanchez hasn’t discovered by now, he by no means will.
Alonso’s techniques depart Sanchez extra uncovered, too. Whereas ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca favoured a possession-heavy method, Alonso goals to overwhelm the opposition within the transitional part. Fulham had extra of the ball, and there was a basketball really feel to the sport at occasions that put Sanchez within the highlight too usually.
Extremely, the most recent experiences point out that Chelsea don’t have any plans to signal one other goalkeeper, with 21-year-old Mike Penders presently serving as Sanchez’s back-up. That could be a big mistake, as Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher accurately noticed whereas on punditry responsibility for Sky Sports activities, saying: “Chelsea won’t ever win the league with Sanchez in aim – unattainable, it will probably’t occur.”
