Chelsea star’s position under threat with rival set for golden chance

Can Filip Jorgensen Replace Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s No. 1?

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, didn’t seem too happy when asked about the club’s goalkeeper situation after their recent match against Brighton. But given the circumstances, it wasn’t a surprising question.

Chelsea won the game 4-2, thanks to Cole Palmer’s four-goal performance, but their goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, had a rough day. His mistakes led directly to both of Brighton’s goals. Naturally, this raised questions about whether Filip Jorgensen, who is set to start against Gent in the Conference League, could push Sanchez out of his starting role in the Premier League.

When asked if Jorgensen could use the Conference League as an opportunity to take the No. 1 spot, Maresca firmly responded: “Filip has to play well because the team needs him, not because he has to put pressure on Robert.”

Maresca also defended Sanchez, saying the mistakes weren’t entirely his fault. “Yes, it was Robert’s error in the end, but it started with Malo [Gusto] giving away a chance. We need Filip to play a good game, not to add pressure on Robert.”

Sanchez was reinstated as Chelsea’s main goalkeeper by Maresca, largely because of his supposed better passing ability compared to Djordje Petrovic, who was Chelsea’s No. 1 last season before being loaned to Strasbourg. But with Sanchez’s poor passing against Brighton, it’s no surprise fans and critics are questioning the manager’s choice.

Chelsea’s goalkeeper position has been unsettled for a while now. It started when Edouard Mendy lost his place in 2022 under Graham Potter. This instability might have even been one of the reasons Jorgensen, a talented 22-year-old, decided to move from Villarreal to Chelsea. He was also motivated by the chance to reunite with his former teammate and friend, Nicolas Jackson.

Although Jorgensen hasn’t played in the Premier League yet, he’s had some strong showings in Europe. He played both legs of Chelsea’s Conference League play-off against Servette and shined in their 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow. However, the upcoming match against Gent will be a much tougher test for him.

Regardless of what Maresca says, if Jorgensen continues to impress in Europe, the calls for him to replace Sanchez will only get louder—especially with big Premier League matches against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Arsenal coming up.

For Jorgensen and the other players not regularly starting, the Conference League isn’t just a side competition. It’s their chance to prove themselves and stake a claim for more playing time.