Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Filip Jorgensen is now the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper, replacing Robert Sanchez. The decision comes as Chelsea look to regain momentum in the Premier League and secure a top-four finish to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
Maresca Backs Jorgensen as Chelsea’s First-Choice Keeper
Maresca made the announcement during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League match against Brighton. He acknowledged that Sanchez needed time to recover mentally and physically but made it clear that Chelsea will not be rotating goalkeepers.
“The idea is not to change the keeper every game,” Maresca explained. “At this moment, our goalkeeper is Filip.”
This decision follows Jorgensen’s impressive performance in Chelsea’s 2-1 league win against West Ham earlier this month. Although Sanchez returned for the FA Cup loss against Brighton, Maresca has now confirmed that Jorgensen is Chelsea’s first choice moving forward.
Robert Sanchez Loses His Starting Spot
Robert Sanchez, a 27-year-old Spanish international, has struggled with form this season, making several costly errors that have affected Chelsea’s results. One of his most notable mistakes came in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, where a poor pass led to a goal for the reigning champions.
Robert Sanchez Mistakes that have cost Chelsea
Wetalkfootball pic.twitter.com/bVsWAst1Bt
— Suyi (@mac_shad) February 3, 2025
Sanchez was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer as Chelsea’s long-term goalkeeping solution, but his inconsistent performances have now forced Maresca to look elsewhere. The decision to drop Sanchez is not just about individual mistakes but also about ensuring stability and reliability in goal as Chelsea push for a Champions League spot.
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Jorgensen’s Rise to Chelsea’s No. 1 Goalkeeper
At just 22 years old, Filip Jorgensen has quickly risen through the ranks at Chelsea. The Denmark U-21 international was signed as part of the club’s youth recruitment strategy, which focuses on developing young talent with the potential to become world-class players.
Jorgensen has impressed in training and in the matches he has played, showing confidence, composure, and strong shot-stopping ability. His solid performance against West Ham was a key moment that convinced Maresca he deserved a chance to establish himself as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Chelsea’s Premier League Struggles and Recovery Plan
Chelsea started the season strongly, staying close to league leaders Liverpool and looking like potential title contenders. However, since mid-December, their form has dropped, leading to inconsistent results and a loss of momentum.
Despite their struggles, Chelsea remain in fourth place, well within the Champions League qualification zone. Maresca remains confident in his squad and insists that the progress made this season should not be overlooked.
“I don’t think what we have done can be cancelled or considered no good,” Maresca stated. “Our journey in the Premier League has been fantastic until today, and in the Conference League, it has also been fantastic.”
Chelsea have not finished in the top four in the last two seasons, and Maresca believes this season is a step in the right direction.
“This year, we have spent almost the entire season in the top four,” Maresca added. “This shows that we are heading in the right direction. Now, our focus is on finishing the season strong and securing a place in the Champions League.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s next match is against Brighton, a team that recently eliminated them from the FA Cup. With Jorgensen set to start, this game will be another opportunity for him to prove his worth and establish himself as Chelsea’s long-term goalkeeper.
The decision to promote Jorgensen as the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper is part of Maresca’s long-term strategy to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for major trophies.
While Sanchez’s future remains uncertain, Jorgensen now has the chance to cement his place in the starting lineup and help Chelsea secure a strong finish to the season.
