Robert Sánchez

Robert Lynch Sánchez (born 18 November 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Chelsea and the Spain national team.

For other people with the same name, see Roberto Sanchez (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Lynch and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez.
Robert Sánchez
Sánchez with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022
Personal information
Full name Robert Lynch Sánchez[1]
Date of birth (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997[2]
Place of birth Cartagena, Spain
Height 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 1
Youth career
Escuela de Fútbol de Santa Ana
Cartagena FC
Ciudad Jardín
2010–2013 Levante
2013–2018 Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2023 Brighton & Hove Albion 87 (0)
2018–2019 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 17 (0)
2019–2020 → Rochdale (loan) 26 (0)
2023– Chelsea 9 (0)
International career‡
2021– Spain 2 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA Nations League
Runner-up2021
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:57, 21 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:12, 17 November 2022 (UTC)

Club career

Early life and career

Sánchez was born in Cartagena, Region of Murcia.[1] He was born to a Jamaican-English father and Spanish mother.[3] He spent his early career playing locally with Escuela de Fútbol de Santa Ana, Cartagena FC and Ciudad Jardín[4] before joining Levante in 2010.[5]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sánchez moved to England to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion at the age of 15, before signing his first professional contract in June 2015.[6][7] He signed a new three-year contract with the club in April 2018.[8]

Loan spells

In June 2018, Sánchez moved on loan to Forest Green Rovers for the 2018–19 season.[9] He played in the opening game of the season making his debut away at Grimsby where Rovers won 4–1.[10] Sánchez was recalled by parent club Brighton in January 2019 to provide cover as Albion's Mathew Ryan was called up for Australia for the Asian Cup.[11] He made 17 appearances for Forest Green that season, all coming in the league.[10]

On 24 July 2019, Sánchez joined Rochdale on loan for the 2019–20 season.[12] He made his debut for the club in a 3–2 away win over Tranmere Rovers.[13]

Return to Brighton

On 1 November 2020, Sánchez made his Brighton debut, playing in a 2–1 defeat in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.[14][15] On 23 February 2021, Sánchez signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Brighton, running until June 2025.[16]

Sánchez was sent off in the 1–1 home draw against Newcastle United on 6 November, in Brighton's eleventh match of the 2021–22 season, for fouling Callum Wilson who was within a goalscoring opportunity.[17] He kept a clean sheet in the 4–0 win over Manchester United on 7 May 2022, helping Brighton earn their record top flight victory, with his long-range pass providing a crucial role in Pascal Groß's goal.[18]

In the second half of the 2022–23 season Sánchez lost his number one spot to long standing back-up keeper Jason Steele, with Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi saying that "he is sad for Robert" and that he has "one of the best relationships" with the player.[19] He was selected to play instead of Steele on 19 March, keeping a clean sheet in the 5–0 FA Cup quarter-final win over League Two side Grimsby at Falmer Stadium.[20] On 15 April, with Steele injured, Sánchez played against Chelsea in a 2–1 away win.[21] Eight days later he retained his place, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester United in 120 minutes of play in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but failing to save a penalty in the eventual shootout loss.[22]

Chelsea

On 3 August 2023, it was reported that Brighton had agreed a transfer fee, with fellow Premier League club Chelsea, worth an initial £20 million, plus £5 million in add-ons, for Sánchez.[23][24] The transfer was completed on 5 August, with the player signing a seven-year contract.[25][26] On 8 August, Chelsea confirmed that he would wear the vacant number 31 shirt for the upcoming 2023–24 season.[27] On 13 August, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.[28] Following the departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga to Real Madrid, on 17 August, Sánchez opted to switch his shirt number to no.1.[29]

In October 2023, he was described by Karen Bardsley as possibly "Chelsea’s smartest signing" due to the "the positive effect he's had on a team which is in transition".[30]

International career

Sánchez was born in Spain to an English father and Spanish mother.[31] Sánchez received his first call-up to the Spanish national team in March 2021, for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.[32]

He was selected to the Spain squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in May 2021.[33] Sánchez and David de Gea remained as understudies to Unai Simón and did not make an appearance as Spain were knocked out on penalties against Italy in the semi-final at Wembley Stadium on 6 July.[34]

He made his international debut on 5 September 2021, replacing Simón in the second half of a World Cup qualifier 4–0 win against Georgia in Badajoz.[35]

Sánchez was part of Spain's 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals squad in October.[36] He remained as back-up and did not make an appearance in either of the semi-final victory over Italy or the final loss against France as Spain finished as runners-up.[37][38]

On 11 November 2022, Sánchez was named in Spain's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[39]

Style of play

Sánchez has said that he modelled himself on Spanish goalkeepers Iker Casillas and David de Gea.[7]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 21 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 2016–17[40] ———3[lower-alpha 1]030
2017–18[41] ———2[lower-alpha 1]020
Total ———5050
Brighton & Hove Albion 2018–19[10] Premier League 0000——00
2019–20[42] Premier League 00———00
2020–21[43] Premier League 2700000—270
2021–22[44] Premier League 3701000—380
2022–23[45] Premier League 2302000—250
Total 870300000900
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2018–19[10] League Two 170000000170
Rochdale (loan) 2019–20[42] League One 260603000350
Chelsea 2023–24[46] Premier League 900020—110
Career total 13909050501580
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

International
As of match played 17 November 2022[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 202110
202210
Total20

Honours

Spain

Individual

References
  1. "Robert Sánchez: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  2. "Robert Sánchez: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  3. "Robert Sanchez - What is the deal?" – via www.youtube.com.
  4. Serrano, Rubén (2 November 2020). "El cartagenero Robert Sánchez debuta en la Premier League inglesa" [Cartagena's Robert Sánchez debuts in the English Premier League]. La Verdad (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  5. "Robert Sánchez, de las categorías inferiores del Levante a la selección". ElDesmarque Valencia. 15 March 2021.
  6. "Profile". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. Andy Naylor (12 July 2017). "Revealed: Everything you need to know about Brighton and Hove Albion's new kid on the block Robert Sanchez". The Argus. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  8. Andy Naylor (20 April 2018). "Albion keeper Robert Sanchez signs new contract". The Argus. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  9. "Robert Sanchez: Forest Green Rovers sign Brighton goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  10. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  11. "Robert Sánchez returns to Brighton". Forest Green Rovers F.C. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  12. "Robert Sanchez: Rochdale sign Brighton goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  13. "Tranmere 2–3 Rochdale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  14. "Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Gareth Bale scores his first goal since re–joining Spurs". BBC Sport. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  15. "Sanchez says he only had 'good nerves' before Premier League debut". The Argus.
  16. "Sanchez signs new Brighton deal until June 2025". Sky Sports. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  17. "Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Newcastle United: Magpies fight back to draw as Eddie Howe watches from the stands". BBC Sport. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  18. "Brighton 4-0 Manchester United: Big defeat ends United's Champions League hopes". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  19. "Jason Steele: From Sunderland Till I Die to Brighton's charge for Europe". 90 min. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  20. "Wembley next as Albion cruise into FA Cup semi-finals". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  21. "Albion's super subs get European push back on track". Brighton & Hove Albion. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  22. "It's Wembley heartbreak as Albion are beaten on penalties". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  23. "Chelsea agree £25m deal for Brighton keeper Sanchez" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  24. "Chelsea agree deal to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sánchez" – via The Guardian.
  25. "Sanchez seals Blues switch". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  26. "Robert Sanchez joins Chelsea". www.brightonandhovealbion.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  27. "Chelsea squad numbers confirmed for 2023/24 season". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  28. "Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: Mauricio Pochettino's side fight back to draw his first Premier League game in charge". 13 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  29. "Sanchez moves squad number". www.chelseafc.com. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  30. "Why Sanchez could be Chelsea's smartest signing" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  31. "Cádiz CF: Robert Sánchez, el flamante portero que empezó de la mano de Jorge Cordero". La Voz Digital (in Spanish). 24 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  32. "Sanchez named in Spain squad". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  33. "Sergio Ramos left out of Spain's Euro 2020 squad". The Independent. 24 May 2021.
  34. "Euro 2020: Italy beat Spain on penalties to reach final – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 7 July 2021.
  35. "Robert Sánchez debuta con España". Mundo Deportivo. 5 September 2021.
  36. "Albion players in international action". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  37. "Italy 1–2 Spain: La Roja end Azzurri's long unbeaten run to reach Nations League final". BBC Sport. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  38. "France beat Spain to become second Nations League winners". BBC Sport. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  39. "World Cup 2022: Laporte and Rodri in squad but Thiago and De Gea miss out". BBC Sport. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  40. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  41. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  42. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  43. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  44. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  45. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  46. "Games played by Robert Sanchez in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  47. "Robert Sánchez". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  48. "Sanchez claims Castrol Save of the Month award". Premier League. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
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