Robert Sanchez breaks unwanted Chelsea record after horror show vs Man United
Robert Sanchez’s nightmare against Manchester United has earned him an unwanted place in Chelsea’s history books.
Sanchez clattered into Bryan Mbeumo and earned himself a straight red card within minutes of Chelsea‘s Premier League clash against Man United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Chelsea‘s goalkeeping situation was the subject of concern over the summer after the Spaniard had struggled throughout last season as Enzo Maresca’s first-choice at Stamford Bridge.
Sanchez was hounded by Chelsea fans following a series of high-profile errors throughout the last campaign, but he had started this term well for the Blues up until this horror show at Old Trafford.
His moment of madness saw him shown the red card by Peter Bankes after just five minutes, and he has broken a Blues record as a result on 20 September.
Robert Sanchez becomes quickest Chelsea player to be sent off in the Premier League
There was little doubt in referee Bankes’ mind about the outcome of Sanchez’s early challenge, as he tried to win the ball but took Mbeumo out as the last man while he was rushing onto the ball on the edge of the penalty area.
After he received his marching orders in the fifth minute, Opta confirmed that Sanchez’s red card was Chelsea’s earliest ever in a Premier League game, and the third earliest for a goalkeeper in the Premier League since its formation in 1992.
The numbers were soon evened up in Saturday’s game, though, likely much to the Spaniard’s delight, as Casemiro was shown a second yellow card for a silly foul on Andrey Santos in first-half added-time.
Filip Jorgensen has a chance to stake a claim ahead of Sanchez
Maresca put his faith in Sanchez at the start of this season, despite his 2024-25 woes, and even though he played well in the first few games, this shocking showing will surely see him fall down the pecking order even when he returns from suspension.
Maresca recently insisted that Filip Jorgensen will be given chances in the Premier League this season, after he also started Sanchez in their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich.
The 23-year-old Dane came on against United and will now get the chance to stake his claim even earlier than expected in the coming weeks.
He featured in just six top-flight games in 2024-25, and failed to really impress as Chelsea went on to register their interest in Mike Maignan over the summer, with the Frenchman’s possible arrival likely meaning Jorgensen would have departed at the time.
The Denmark international was a mainstay in the Conference League last term, though, and now will have the chance to shine against Lincoln City while Sanchez serves his suspension.