Pochettino gives worst-case Sanchez injury scenario amid Chelsea transfer call

The most recent Chelsea injury news comes from Mauricio Pochettino, who provided an update on Robert Sanchez following his substitution during the Everton match.

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed goalkeeper Robert Sanchez could miss the next six weeks due to a knee injury (Image: (Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images))

Robert Sanchez will not play again this season, according to Mauricio Pochettino, having sustained an injury during the Everton match. The Spain international was substituted for by Dorde Petrovic near the end of the match after going down in the first half at Goodison Park, but he managed to play on.

After Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga left, Sanchez became the first option, and Chelsea fans had differing opinions about the goalkeeper situation. And one could argue that they have continued, as several strong performances have been ruined by mistakes.

With captain Reece James also suffering another hamstring injury against Everton, Sanchez’s muscular problem now affects every position. Marc Cucurella was also substituted; his return date is unknown and he has since undergone ankle surgery.

Pochettino was able to provide an estimated return date for Sanchez, though it might take some time before he is seen again. A return in early January is a possibility. “It is an injury that’s going to be for a few weeks, I don’t know if two, three, four, five or six,” said Pochettino. “We’ll evaluate each day to determine how best to proceed.

“His recovery will depend on him and the reaction of his knee and it is difficult to say in two or three weeks but we hope [he is back] as soon as possible.” Pochettino will probably have a better idea of a return schedule in the upcoming weeks, and given Petrovic’s relative inexperience, it’s quite possible that a January solution is taken into consideration.

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal was linked to Chelsea during the summer, and Stamford Bridge is still interested in him. If Sanchez returns close to Pochettino’s projected date, he will miss a minimum of six games before making his comeback shortly after the winter break.

The Blues have cup matches against Newcastle and Preston during that time, as well as matches against Wolves, Crystal Palace, Luton, Fulham, and Liverpool. Depending on the outcome of this evening’s game, there may also be a potential Carabao Cup semifinal. But based on his remarks about the Serbian international, Pochettino might decide against trying to sign a new goalkeeper.

“I have faith in all of my players,” he stated. “We thought he had a lot of potential when he came to Chelsea. He is young and originated in a different American football league. After working with us for four or five months, now is the time for him to take charge and feel good about himself because we have faith in him, our teammates have faith in him, and we ourselves have confidence in him. He is about to make his Stamford Bridge debut, and yes, we have faith in his ability to perform to our standards.”