'Far from where I want him to be' - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca FINALLY admits concerns over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after string of errors as he casts doubt over stopper's long-term future

Speaking before Chelsea face Manchester City on Saturday evening, Maresca was critical of the level Sanchez has been performing at this season, despite acknowledging an improvement from the Spaniard. The Blues boss has no intention of changing goalkeeper during the current campaign, having regularly defended Sanchez despite him making four errors leading to goals this season, but refused to make any guarantees about the longer-term future.

Sanchez has never particularly convinced as Chelsea's number one. The former Brighton stopper is a very capable Premier League-standard goalkeeper on his day, but is equally capable of dropping clangers. The most recent of those came against Wolves last Monday night, fumbling a cross that handed the struggling visitors an equalising goal. It was only later goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke that spared his blushes. Maresca has summer signing Filip Jorgensen, who has impressed in the Conference League, at his disposal, but the 22-year-old is yet to get a meaningful domestic chance.

"For sure, that is not very good for his confidence, but also Robert is a professional who has to learn to deal with that kind of moment. It's experience for him. He has to improve also to deal with that kind of moment during a game at home where the fans, for any reason, are not happy. He has to manage that moment," Maresca told reporters when asked how Sanchez had responded to Monday's error.

"I didn't speak with Robert. I consider that kind of moment part of our job. You have to learn that you have to deal with that. It's already happened in the past with Robert, and he did quite well. He's getting better, but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be.

"I'm not thinking about the seasons coming. I'm thinking about this season. For this season? No doubt [Sanchez will keep his place]. But then in the future, we don't know. It is not only about Robert. It is not even about me, you know? I'm focused on this moment, this season. Since we started, Robert is getting better, but he is still far, far, far from where I want him to be."

It doesn't feel like an enormous vote of confidence for Sanchez going into a game against a Manchester City side that has scored 22 goals in five games so far this month. But it has laid down a challenge for the 27-year-old to know that he at least remains in control of his own destiny if he can find a more consistent base.