Gary Neville has launched a blistering critique of Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, insisting the Spaniard is actively “undermining” the club and urging new manager Xabi Alonso to sign a replacement immediately.
Gary Neville Urges Xabi Alonso to Replace Robert Sanchez After Costly Fulham Errors
The former Manchester United defender delivered his verdict during Sky Sports’ coverage of Chelsea’s chaotic 3-2 Premier League opener against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
While Joao Pedro opened the scoring within 31 seconds, Sanchez’s errors gifted Fulham an equaliser through Josh King and contributed to Gonzalo Garcia’s second goal.
Neville had expressed pre-match concerns about the goalkeeper position, stating:
“For the first time in a while I really like the spine of Chelsea’s team. The goalkeeper could maybe be upgraded”. But after Sanchez’s blunders, his tone turned emphatic.
“Chelsea were in a really good shape, showing respect to Fulham. Xabi Alonso will be thinking, ‘how have we conceded from here?'” Neville said.
“Robert Sanchez does undermine Chelsea’s position. He makes a lot of errors and it just can’t happen. It will undermine everything Chelsea do”.
Neville suggested Alonso must act decisively.
“When you’re managing a football club, you have to make some pretty brutal and ruthless decisions,” he said.
“You cannot take a chance with goalkeeper. I think in the next seven or eight days, Alonso may have to make a decision that he needs to bring in an experienced goalkeeper”.
Comparing Sanchez unfavourably to Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Neville added: “It’s a problem for Chelsea. I don’t think Martinez is available, but they need someone like that”.
Fellow pundit Alan Smith echoed the criticism, calling Sanchez’s first-half error “a shocker” and suggesting the performance might “nudge” Chelsea toward the transfer market.
Despite Sanchez’s struggles, Neville remains optimistic about Chelsea’s title prospects under Alonso, tipping them to finish second behind Arsenal.
But he warned that sticking with the current goalkeeper could derail everything Alonso is building in west London.
