Chelsea have made yet another significant move in the summer transfer market by completing the £25 million signing of Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper has joined the London-based club on a seven-year deal, indicating Chelsea’s confidence in his abilities and long-term potential.
Sanchez’s journey to Stamford Bridge has been one of gradual growth and development. He began his footballing career at Brighton, joining the club’s youth setup at the age of 15 in 2013 after leaving La Liga side Levante.
Two years later, he signed his first professional contract with the Seagulls, setting the foundation for his ascent to the Premier League.
The talented goalkeeper gained valuable experience during loan spells with Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale, fine-tuning his skills and gaining crucial game time.
His hard work and dedication eventually paid off when he made his Premier League debut for Brighton in a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in November 2020.
During the last season, Sanchez made 23 league appearances for Brighton before temporarily losing his starting spot to Jason Steele.
Despite the setback, the young Spaniard showcased his talent and potential, catching the attention of several top clubs, including Chelsea.
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi spoke highly of Sanchez, acknowledging his talent and character.
De Zerbi emphasized that parting ways with the goalkeeper was a difficult decision for the team but wished Sanchez good luck in his future endeavours.
At Chelsea, Sanchez will have the opportunity to compete with fellow Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is already a well-established goalkeeper at the club.
With the departure of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, the competition for the starting spot between Sanchez and Arrizabalaga promises to be intense.
Chelsea’s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley, and Laurence Stewart, expressed their excitement about Sanchez’s arrival, highlighting his track record in the Premier League and international experience with the Spanish national team.
The club believes that Sanchez’s addition will strengthen their defensive setup and provide vital depth in the goalkeeping position.
This signing marks Chelsea’s sixth major acquisition in the summer transfer window, as they prepare for their first season under the management of Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues have been busy bolstering their squad in various areas.
In attack, they secured the services of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig for a hefty fee of £52 million and Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal for a reported £32 million.
Additionally, they invested in defensive talent by signing France defender Axel Disasi from Monaco for £38.5 million.
The midfield was not overlooked, as Chelsea welcomed French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who arrived from Rennes for £23 million, with the possibility of a loan spell to further aid his development.
Furthermore, they brought in 18-year-old Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel from Santos for an undisclosed fee, a move signaling their commitment to nurturing young talent.
Despite significant arrivals, Chelsea also experienced some notable departures during this transfer window. Germany forward Kai Havertz joined Arsenal in a substantial £65 million deal, while England midfielder Mason Mount was sold to Manchester United for £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons.
In another high-profile move, Manchester City secured the services of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic for an initial £25 million.
Chelsea witnessed some of their players making moves to Saudi clubs, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly both joining different teams.
N’Golo Kante made a surprising move to champions Al-Ittihad. English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and United States forward Christian Pulisic also found new homes at AC Milan.
