Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has dropped a major shock at Stamford Bridge by explaining why Robert Sanchez was axed from the starting lineup for the crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Filip Jorgensen has been handed the gloves for Wednesday night’s must-win trip to Villa Park, leaving the 28-year-old Spain international on the bench.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game, Rosenior delivered a clear message about his goalkeeper policy: “He’s played very good in training. The way I work with goalkeepers, I don’t have an outright number one. I want competition in every area. He’s been waiting very patiently for his chance. Now I’ve given it to him this evening.”
The decision comes just days after Sanchez’s costly error in Chelsea’s defeat at Arsenal on Sunday. The shot-stopper was heavily criticised for misjudging a corner, allowing Jurrien Timber to score the winner from close range.
Despite the high-profile mistake, Rosenior had publicly backed Sanchez just 24 hours earlier, insisting the Spaniard was not to blame for the loss.
“I think each player adds to the overall picture and functionality of your team,” Rosenior said on Monday. “So yes, the first few minutes we had a few nervy spells. The fact that we played out from the back affected their press and gave us space in the areas that we wanted.
“I don’t want to single out players and say what they can or can’t improve. It’s about the functionality of the team. I don’t think anyone can say in the moment, other than the two set-play goals, my team did not function well in the game.
“By the way, the league leaders, top of the Champions League. We functioned in a very good way for a lot of the game. The reason we lost the game was we didn’t take care of the moments. Nothing to do with Rob’s build, nothing to do with the way that we played. We have to manage those moments to win games of football.”
Now, with Sanchez watching from the bench, the interim manager has sent an unmistakable message to his entire squad: no one is guaranteed their place.
Turning his attention to Aston Villa — the Premier League’s deadliest team from outside the box this season — Rosenior warned his players to stay sharp.
“You would never tell Moises Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez or Reece James or Cole Palmer or Pedro Neto not to take a shot unless they didn’t think it was the right decision in that moment,” he said.
“In terms of preparing for Aston Villa, the reason they score great goals is because they have great attacking players. We show individual clips to our players. Our players know the strengths and weaknesses of each individual we’re up against.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game. They’re very clinical in terms of the xG that they create, in terms of the values of the goals that they score. They’re a good team.
“It’s going to be tough because they’re going to have a reaction from their last result. We have to make sure we’re prepared for a very difficult game.”
With Chelsea desperate for three points, Rosenior’s bombshell call between the posts has set the tone: competition is everything — and no one, not even the established number one, is safe.