'Leave him alone!' - Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez passionately defended by club legend as fans and pundits are told it's 'unfair to focus on the negatives'

Finding a reliable option between the sticks has been something of an issue at Stamford Bridge. Big money has been invested across the entire Blues squad, but questions are being asked of whether value has been found in a key area of the field.

Sanchez was snapped up from Brighton for £25 million ($34m) in 2023, bringing useful Premier League experience with him, and has taken in 64 appearances for Chelsea. He has seen the odd mistake creep into his game, but Di Matteo insists the 27-year-old deserves greater credit.

Former Blues player and manager Di Matteo, speaking in association with BetVictor Online Casino, told GOAL when asked about Sanchez: "Leave him alone! I had this question last season. You only focus on the mistakes. I know a goalkeeper makes a mistake and it is highlighted because most of the time it is a goal, but there are positives.

"Switch it around for once. Look at how many good saves he made, how many points he won for the team. Yes, he has made some mistakes - every goalkeeper makes mistakes. But we can move on and be objective about Sanchez. Ok, he has made six/seven mistakes that led to goals but how many points has he saved for the club with crucial saves? Let’s look at that. I think he’s a very good goalkeeper.

"It wasn’t a priority over the summer for the club for a new goalkeeper. They are happy. Last season, two trophies. How many teams won two trophies last season? Conference League and Club World Cup. with him. He’s very good. At the moment they focus on the negatives and I think it’s unfair."

Pressed on whether Chelsea should have been in the market for Champions League and European Championship winner Gianluigi Donnarumma - who ultimately ended up at Manchester City - after seeing him suddenly become available at Paris Saint-Germain, Di Matteo added: "Maybe they had a conversation with Donnarumma, but I think they are happy in that position. They didn’t desperately need a new goalkeeper. I’m Italian so I love Donnarumma. It will be great to see him in the Premier League. Let’s see how the season goes."

Sanchez has started all three of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season, conceding just one goal. Enzo Maresca’s side remain unbeaten, with seven points on the board, heading into a derby date with west London neighbours Brentford on Saturday.