Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, which lifted them back to fourth place in the league. However, the decision to drop Sanchez, which many fans had called for, became one of the main talking points after the game.
Supporters have grown frustrated with Sanchez’s performances, as errors like the one that allowed Manchester City to equalize have put him under heavy scrutiny. With the pressure mounting, Maresca made the tough call to bench Sanchez for the West Ham match, a crucial game for the team.
Although many expected Sanchez to start, Maresca opted for Jorgensen instead, sending a clear message to Sanchez that he must improve to reclaim his spot.
Despite this setback, Cucurella remains hopeful for Sanchez’s recovery. In a recent interview, he urged his teammate to stay focused and keep working hard, noting that challenges are a natural part of any footballer’s career.
“It’s tough,” Cucurella acknowledged. “But sometimes stepping away from the spotlight for a while can help. It gives a player the chance to improve without the added pressure. Everyone at Chelsea faces difficult times at some point.”
Cucurella believes Sanchez will get another shot and encouraged him to be ready when that moment comes. “The key is to keep working hard. When the opportunity arises, he has to be ready to take it. He has the quality to turn things around,” he said.
Having played together at Brighton, Cucurella and Sanchez share a close bond, and the Chelsea defender has been offering emotional support during this challenging period for Sanchez.
“I told him to stay calm. Every footballer goes through tough times,” Cucurella shared. “The key is to keep training hard and push even more. I’ve known him for years, and I’ll always be there for him if he needs anything.”
While Sanchez’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, the team’s primary goal is to finish the season strongly and secure a place in the Champions League. Cucurella emphasized that the team’s success is the most important thing. “Today, the team won, and that’s what matters. It doesn’t matter who’s in goal, as long as Chelsea keeps winning,” he said.
Sanchez now faces a critical period to prove to Maresca that he deserves another chance. While it’s still unclear whether he will regain his starting position, with hard work and the support of his teammates, Sanchez could still play a key role in Chelsea’s season.
