Chelsea Agree to Sign Brighton Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for £25m Plus Add-Ons
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Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for £25m plus add-ons. The 25-year-old Spaniard will challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for the number one spot and is familiar to the coaching staff at Chelsea, as goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts worked with him while at Brighton.
Sanchez’s Journey to Chelsea
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Sanchez has been with the Seagulls since the age of 15, having joined their academy from Levante in 2013. After loan spells with Forest Green and Rochdale, he made his Brighton debut in November 2020 and became the Seagulls’ first-choice stopper for the best part of two years. He was also called up by Spain in 2021 and was part of their squad at both the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and the 2022 World Cup, although his only two caps have both come in friendlies.
Sanchez lost his place to Jason Steele in the second half of Brighton’s 2022-23 Premier League season, although he did play in the FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties by Manchester United at Wembley. His contract at Brighton, where Sanchez has made 90 appearances in total, was set to run until June 2025.
The Impact of Sanchez’s Move to Chelsea
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The signing of Sanchez is a major coup for Chelsea, who have been looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options for some time. With Kepa Arrizabalaga’s form having been inconsistent over the past few seasons, the addition of Sanchez will provide competition for the Spaniard and could help to bring out the best in him.
Sanchez is also a highly rated goalkeeper and has already shown his potential at Brighton. He has made some impressive saves over the past two seasons and has shown himself to be a reliable shot-stopper. He is also an excellent communicator and has shown himself to be a leader on the pitch.
Conclusion
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The signing of Robert Sanchez is a major coup for Chelsea and could prove to be a shrewd move by the club. The 25-year-old Spaniard is a highly rated goalkeeper who has already shown his potential at Brighton and could provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga. With Sanchez now on board, Chelsea have taken a big step towards strengthening their goalkeeping options and could be set for a successful season ahead.