“If he’s serious about keeping his team in the top six he needs to stop the nonsensical support of several players especially the current keeper. That mistake just exposed that the keeper is not doing his job” – This is according to Michael Owen as he declares that Enzo Maresca’s Unjustifiable Support for Robert Sanchez Needs to Stop

Chelsea’s Last Victory Over Manchester City Was Four Years Ago in the Champions League Final

The last time Chelsea secured a win against Manchester City was in the 2021 Champions League final, where a narrow 1-0 victory in Porto crowned them European champions. Fast forward to their latest clash at the Etihad, the Blues found themselves gifted an early lead within two minutes but failed to capitalize, ultimately paying the price for defensive lapses and Enzo Maresca’s continued and increasingly indefensible faith in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez, who was already under scrutiny for a costly mistake against Wolves earlier in the week, was once again at fault for City’s crucial goal. His poor decision-making saw him recklessly charge out of his area in an attempt to confront Erling Haaland, only to end up stranded in no-man’s land. As Trevor Chalobah struggled to contain the Norwegian striker, Sanchez froze, allowing Haaland to loft the ball into an empty net, turning the tide in City’s favor.

Maresca’s Persistent Backing of Sanchez Raises Questions

Speaking before the match, Maresca offered lukewarm support for Sanchez, stating that the Spanish shot-stopper remains his preferred choice for now but leaving the door open for change in the future. However, his admission that Sanchez is still “far, far, far from where I want him to be” raises serious concerns. At 27, there is little indication that he will develop into the reliable presence Chelsea need between the posts.

With the summer transfer window likely to bring reinforcements, one has to wonder how much damage will be done before then. Chelsea’s top-four ambitions continue to slip further away, and with Newcastle and Bournemouth both in fine form, the Blues find themselves in sixth place with a Champions League spot looking increasingly out of reach.

A Goalkeeping Change is Needed Urgently

At this stage, Filip Jorgensen may be worth a gamble, despite his inconsistent performances. Alternatively, Chelsea could explore the transfer market, which remains open for another week. Manchester City have already taken advantage of the window to strengthen their squad in an effort to salvage their season—something Chelsea should consider as well. With just one win in their last seven matches, a fresh injection of quality could provide a much-needed boost.

City’s Tactical Adjustments and Chelsea’s Defensive Vulnerabilities

While City were expected to be reeling from their recent Champions League disappointment in Paris, the early moments of the game suggested otherwise. Chelsea’s defense was as shaky as their opponents’, but without the excuse of being an unfamiliar unit. The high defensive line without sufficient pressure on the ball left Reece James and Marc Cucurella exposed, making them easy targets for City’s attackers.

Matheus Nunes and Joško Gvardiol linked up effectively to produce City’s equalizer, with Noni Madueke’s lack of defensive awareness playing a significant role in Chelsea’s downfall. Meanwhile, Sanchez had already survived an earlier scare, fumbling a straightforward save into the path of Omar Marmoush, who found the net—only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Had Marmoush left the ball for Bernardo Silva, who was arriving from a deeper position, the goal would have stood.

City’s Direct Approach Exposed Chelsea’s Frailties

Ultimately, City turned to a more traditional approach, using Haaland’s physicality to devastating effect. The Norwegian striker not only scored their second goal but also shrugged off Levi Colwill to set up Phil Foden for the third, sealing a 3-1 victory.

For Pep Guardiola’s men, this performance felt like a statement of intent. For Chelsea, however, it served as a stark reminder of their ongoing struggles. If Maresca hopes to salvage their season, he must now make a decisive statement of his own—by dropping Robert Sanchez.