Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has publicly expressed his support for his fellow Spaniard and teammate, Robert Sanchez, following the goalkeeper’s recent struggles and loss of his starting spot.
Sanchez has faced heavy criticism this season after committing multiple costly errors that led to goals.
As a result, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca decided to bench him in favor of Filip Jorgensen in their recent Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
The tactical switch paid off, with Chelsea securing a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, a result that helped them reclaim fourth place in the league standings.
However, one of the biggest talking points after the game was Maresca’s decision to replace Sanchez, a move that many fans had been advocating for in recent weeks.
Sanchez’s form has been a major concern for Chelsea supporters, as his mistakes have repeatedly led to goals for the opposition.
His most recent high-profile error came against Manchester City, where a lapse in judgment allowed the reigning champions to equalize.
The growing frustration among fans and the pressure to perform forced Maresca to make the difficult decision to drop the Spanish goalkeeper for the West Ham clash.
Many had expected Sanchez to start, but Maresca opted for Jorgensen instead, signaling to the former Brighton keeper that he must improve significantly if he wants to regain his place in the starting lineup.
Despite the setback, Cucurella remains optimistic about Sanchez’s ability to bounce back.
Speaking in a recent interview, the Chelsea defender emphasized the importance of staying mentally strong and continuing to work hard, as difficult moments are a natural part of a footballer’s career.
“It’s not easy to go through this kind of situation,” Cucurella admitted.
“But sometimes, taking a step back from the spotlight can actually help a player.
It allows them to focus on self-improvement without external pressure.
At a club like Chelsea, every player faces challenges at some point.”
Cucurella believes Sanchez will have another opportunity to prove himself and has encouraged him to be prepared when that moment arrives.
He stressed that dedication and perseverance are key to overcoming setbacks.
“The most important thing is to keep working hard,” Cucurella added.
“When his chance comes again, he has to be ready to take it.
He has the quality to turn things around.”
Having previously played together at Brighton, Cucurella and Sanchez have developed a close friendship.
The left-back revealed that he has been offering emotional support to Sanchez during this difficult period and urged him to remain calm and patient.
“I told him to stay calm,” Cucurella said. “Every footballer goes through rough patches.
The key is to stay focused in training and work even harder.
I’ve known him for years, and I’ll always be there for him if he needs anything.”
Despite Sanchez’s uncertain future at Chelsea, the club’s main objective remains securing a strong finish to the season.
With a chance to return to the Champions League, every player in Maresca’s squad needs to perform at their highest level.
Cucurella emphasized that team success comes before individual concerns.
“The most important thing is that the team won today,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who plays in goal as long as Chelsea keeps winning.”
For Sanchez, the coming weeks will be crucial as he strives to prove to Maresca that he deserves another opportunity.
While it remains to be seen whether he will regain his starting position, with hard work and the support of his teammates, he could still play a vital role in Chelsea’s season.
