Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca backs Filip Jorgensen as number one keeper over Robert Sanchez

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca backs Filip Jorgensen as number one keeper over Robert Sanchez

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has firmly stated that Filip Jorgensen is currently the club's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez has faced criticism after several high-profile mistakes in the Premier League this season, leading to Jorgensen's promotion to the starting role.

The Spaniard's latest blunder - his fifth error leading to a goal in 2024/25 - came against Manchester City, days after Maresca defended him following a mistake v Wolves.

Jorgensen started in between the sticks for the Blues' next league match against West Ham and is now Maresca's first-choice in the Premier League moving forward.

"I said that the Filip solution was also to give Robert some time to recover mentally and physically," Maresca told reporters on Thursday.

"But the idea is not to game by game change the keeper. In the last Premier League game we had Filip and in the FA Cup it was Robert. Our keeper at the moment is Filip.

"I spoke with Robert a few days before West Ham where I took the decision to play Filip. I never spoke again with Robert. Filip, exactly the same.

"They know the situation. This is the situation now and then we will see."

Sanchez started in the FA Cup defeat at his former club Brighton last Sunday and the Blues are currently preparing for a Premier League rematch against Fabian Hurzeler's men on Friday night.

Chelsea - who are fourth in the Premier League - have a number of injuries to deal with and Maresca provided an update on Nicolas Jackson, who is out for six to eight weeks, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and captain Reece James.

"Like Nico, it could be after the international break (for Lavia)," Maresca revealed.

"He (Fofana) started with us a few days ago. He needs two or three weeks. It is a good feeling that he is back with us.

"Reece is okay. Against Brighton in the cup, it was planned to give him a rest. He had some rest in the last days but he is available."

Chelsea were superb under Maresca in the first 15 games of the season before a dramatic dip in form.

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