Why Como fans are fuming with Chelsea loanee Robert Sanchez after Champions League defeat
Robert Sanchez was looking for a fresh start with Como under Cesc Fabregas. An exciting move for the Spanish goalkeeper, who has endured years of criticism between the sticks at Chelsea.
It looked as if Xabi Alonso was ready to place his faith in Sanchez and make him the club’s no.1. But two mistakes against Fulham in Chelsea’s first game, a 3-2 win for Chelsea, convinced Alonso to replace him.
In came Emi Martinez and a little later, out went Sanchez. The former Brighton man has joined Como on loan, with an option to buy him. He is fighting with France goalkeeper Jean Butez to start for the Italians.
Robert Sanchez guilty of own goal, but it wasn’t really his fault
On Wednesday night, Como faced Feyenoord in their second-ever Champions League match. They went to the Netherlands to take on Feyenoord, but Fabregas’ side suffered a 3-2 loss to the Eredivisie side.
How would you compare Chelsea’s sporting directors to their counterparts at other English clubs? Have they really been that bad? 🤔
Como had taken the lead. Chelsea target Jacobo Ramon‘s ball forward found Assane Diao, but Sanchez could do little about Feyenoord’s equaliser, scored by Gjivai Zechiel. The second, he should have stopped.
Anis Hadji Moussa, another Chelsea target, cut inside and blasted a low effort at the near post, beating Sanchez. Then, bad luck struck. Hadji Moussa’s 25-yard shot deflected off Ramon and hit Sanchez’s post.
But with Sanchez desperately trying to stop the shot, the ball hit the back of Sanchez as he was diving before bobbling into the net. Bad luck, rather than his fault. Como got a second, but it wasn’t enough.
Como fans were unimpressed with Sanchez’s performance
Sanchez might have done better with Feyenoord’s second, but ultimately, the pace of the shot beat him. He could do little about the first and the third; even though embarrassing, was just one of those things.
Yet, Sanchez came in for criticism from Como supporters in what was his second outing for Como, and the ninth Champions League appearance of his career. One fan described his display as “disastrous”.
Another said that they would “rather play Jean Butez without arms” after watching Sanchez concede three times on Wednesday night, while another posted: “Sanchez is one of the worst goalkeepers I’ve seen.”
One even questioned Sanchez’s role in Feyenoord’s first two goals on the night: “I found both goals questionable, as the first was a catchable, central shot and the second had a perfectly legible trajectory.”
Some criticised Fabregas: “Sanchez as second keeper could only be made by the Fabregas employment center,” while another said: “Fabregas preferred to take Sanchez, after a disappointing season at Chelsea.”
“Give me back Butez right now”, “what a lamppost”, and “awful” were the verdicts of more Como fans on X last night, having watched Sanchez concede three goals with Butez on the bench. Not a good display.
It’s bad news for Chelsea, ultimately. Como are believed to have a purchase option in their loan deal for Sanchez, but after last night’s performance, the chances of them activating it have reduced significantly.
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