Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations might hinge on Robert Sanchez, as England legend David James believes the goalkeeper’s improved distribution and shot-stopping make him a crucial foundation for the team’s future success.
Former England goalkeeper David James has made a surprising claim regarding Chelsea’s title aspirations, identifying heavily criticised shot-stopper Robert Sanchez as the player who can fundamentally anchor a future Premier League challenge, according to THE PRIDE OF LONDON reporting.
Despite enduring a campaign plagued by injury issues and inconsistency, including a costly red card against Manchester United, James believes the Spaniard is exceeding expectations and showing significant improvements, particularly in his passing game.
“I know there are a lot of people who look at Sanchez and question his capabilities but I think he is outstanding,” James told Metro, as quoted in the report.
The former keeper highlighted Sanchez’s ability to initiate offensive plays from the back, likening his technical skill to that of Arsenal’s David Raya.
James added that his faith in Sanchez stems from his distribution quality, which he believes is crucial for the team’s attacking flow:
“His long balls, similar to David Raya, have been exceptional, not only getting the team out of trouble, but actually starting attack moves.”
The report notes this is a bold statement given the criticism Sanchez has faced, but it reflects a recent upswing in his reliability, despite occasional errors.
James concluded his assessment with firm support for the goalkeeper’s foundational role: “So I just think that we’ve got a goalkeeper there who I think will be the foundation for Chelsea’s challenge for the title.”