Mauricio Pochettino feelings clear on latest Robert Sanchez Chelsea blow and return date hint

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says losing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at this stage of the season is a big blow but hopes he can have him back in a few weeks. Sanchez, who has started every game for the Blues since signing on from Brighton in the summer, was forced off at Everton due to a knee injury. 

He was replaced by Djordje Petrovic at Goodison and Pochettino is backing the Serbian to step in and do a good job. He told reporters ahead of the game against Sheffield United this weekend: "I think always when you suffer an injury and he was our No.1 goalkeeper so far, always a player you are going to miss.

"I think we have another goalkeeper who is working hard to be ready when this type of thing happens of course, very sad because we are going to lose a player, maybe for a few weeks. We need to wait and see the situation with Robert and also with Reece and Marc Cucurella.

"From the beginning, we are being hit with different circumstances. We need to be strong because the competition doesn't stop." 

Chelsea have only won five league games all season but are vying to win two successive home games for the first time since July 2020. They have also lost captain Reece James to another hamstring injury, his seventh in the last 24 months and the 24-year-old risks being ruled out of next year's Euros if he doesn't return to playing by the end of March.

In some positive news, Mauricio Pochettino has won 36 of his 42 Premier League clashes with promoted sides, drawing four and losing two.