Liam Rosenior ‘confused’ and Chelsea staff ‘angry’ over Robert Sanchez incident vs Burnley
Liam Rosenior was left searching for answers after Robert Sanchez was punished for time-wasting during Chelsea’s clash with Burnley.
Despite Joao Pedro‘s fourth-minute opener at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 21 February, Burnley had their fair share of chances to net an equaliser, and they would eventually find it in added time.
The home side were taken by surprise when referee Lewis Smith awarded a corner to the Clarets in the first half, despite Sanchez holding onto the ball in the middle of his penalty area.
Of course, new to the 2025-26 season, Premier League referees will punish goalkeepers for time-wasting should they keep hold of the ball beyond an eight-second timer.
Chelsea quickly had to adapt to the situation, but it did not stop their manager from voicing his opinion.
- Read more: This is how Chelsea players ranked in their 1-0 win over Burnley.
Chelsea a ‘victim’ to Premier League time-wasting rules vs Burnley
Rosenior was clearly surprised when the decision went in Burnley’s favour, but his side had to turn their attention to the incoming set-piece after already defending one just moments earlier.
Reporting for BBC Sport (21 February), Nizaar Kinsella said: “Chelsea were a victim of the eight-second rule as Robert Sanchez held onto the ball too long, resulting in a corner.
“It has led to a Burnley corner and a good chance for former Blues midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. Liam Rosenior looks confused, and some of Chelsea’s other staff are angry about that decision.”
This should not be anything new to those at Stamford Bridge, with multiple managers being caught out in the early weeks of the season, but we are now 27 games into the Premier League campaign.
How did Chelsea fans react to Robert Sanchez’s mistake?
Sanchez has had a mixed season, to say the least, with the shot-stopper only keeping fewer clean sheets than David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma before facing the Clarets.
However, he has been known to pop up with a mistake every now and again, and those fears were obvious after Burnley were awarded another corner due to his mistake.
Goalkeeper is certainly a position which could be addressed, or at least looked at, during the summer transfer window, but he is currently Rosenior’s best option in between the sticks.
Mike Maignan was being targeted during the previous summer transfer window, but even he, an experienced France international, can make the odd mistake at AC Milan.