Marc Cucurella has chatted with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez over his situation at Stamford Bridge.
AS spoke with the 26-year-old and part of the interview was about Sánchez, who has been the subject of criticism recently.
Enzo Maresca has used Sánchez as the first-choice stopper in the Premier League this season. He’s kept four clean sheets and conceded 27 goals from 21 league games and his error saw Manchester City score a goal in their 3-1 win over the Blues on January 25th.
On Monday, Enzo Maresca dropped the Spain international and started Filip Jörgensen in their 2-1 win over West Ham United. The Blues manager has stated Sánchez needs to rest as Jörgensen impressed against the Hammers.
Cucurella knows the 27-year-old stopper is going through a difficult phase at Chelsea and has urged him to work hard in training.
“In the end it’s difficult. I think it’s also important for him to work and be a little bit out of the spotlight. All the players who have come here have had hard times,” he said.
“The important thing is that he’s well, that he works hard, because I’m sure he’ll get his chance again and, when he does, he’ll be ready.”
Cucurella has played alongside Sánchez at Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Spain. He left the Seagulls for the west London club in 2022, a year before the goalkeeper joined the Blues.
The left-back initially struggled at Chelsea before things started improving for him. He has held talks with Sánchez on how the stopper can turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
“I’ve told him to be calm, that it’s happened to everyone. The most important thing is that he works and keeps training even harder. You have to work hard to turn the situation around,” Cucurella explained.
“I’ve known him since Brighton, we are great friends, and he knows he has me for whatever he needs.”
On Saturday, Chelsea will face Brighton in the FA Cup, and Sánchez has an opportunity to redeem himself if Maresca were to start him against his former club.
