Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has publicly backed his teammate and fellow Spaniard, Robert Sanchez, following the goalkeeper’s recent demotion from the starting lineup.
Sanchez, who had been Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, was dropped after a series of costly mistakes led to goals, frustrating both fans and coaching staff.
Head coach Enzo Maresca ultimately decided to replace him with Filip Jorgensen for the team’s latest Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
The decision proved to be a successful one, as Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, climbing back to fourth place in the league standings.
However, one of the biggest talking points following the match was Maresca’s choice to bench Sanchez, a move that many supporters had been demanding due to the goalkeeper’s inconsistent performances.
Sanchez has struggled this season, making several errors that have directly resulted in goals conceded.
His latest mistake came against Manchester City, where a poor decision led to the opposition finding the net.
With increasing pressure from fans and concerns over his reliability, Maresca made the bold call to drop Sanchez in favor of Jorgensen for the crucial encounter against West Ham.
Many had expected Sanchez to retain his starting role despite his struggles, but Maresca’s selection indicated that the coaching staff believed a change was necessary.
The decision sent a clear message to Sanchez that his performances needed to improve if he wanted to regain his place in the starting eleven.
Despite this setback, Cucurella remains confident that Sanchez can bounce back.
In a recent interview, he expressed his belief that his teammate should remain focused and continue working hard to reclaim his spot.
He acknowledged that every footballer faces difficult moments in their career, and this was just another challenge for Sanchez to overcome.
“It’s tough,” Cucurella admitted. “But sometimes, taking a step back can actually be beneficial.
It gives a player the chance to work on their game away from the intense pressure of constant scrutiny.
At a club like Chelsea, every player goes through difficult periods.”
Cucurella also emphasized that Sanchez will likely get another opportunity and must be prepared when that moment arrives.
He urged his teammate to maintain a strong work ethic and stay motivated.
“The most important thing is to keep working hard,” he added. “When his next chance comes, he must be ready to take it. He has the ability to turn things around and prove himself.”
The bond between Cucurella and Sanchez goes beyond their time at Chelsea, as the duo previously played together at Brighton.
This longstanding connection has allowed Cucurella to provide emotional support for his teammate during this difficult phase.
“I told him to stay calm,” Cucurella revealed. “Every player experiences setbacks.
The key is to keep training hard and pushing forward. I have known him for years, and I’ll always be there for him if he needs anything.”
While Sanchez’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, the team’s primary focus is on finishing the season strongly.
With a potential Champions League qualification on the line, every player in Maresca’s squad must perform at their best to ensure success.
Cucurella made it clear that, above all, the team’s success takes precedence over individual concerns.
“What matters most is that the team wins,” he stated. “It doesn’t matter who plays in goal, as long as Chelsea keeps securing victories.”
For Sanchez, this period will be crucial in determining his role at the club moving forward.
Whether he can regain his starting spot remains to be seen, but with dedication, hard work, and the backing of his teammates, he could still play an important role in Chelsea’s campaign.
