Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has hinted why first-choice goalkeeper Victor Sanchez lost his place to Italian shot-stopper, Filip Jorgensen for the game against West Ham United on Monday night.
Sanchez was in goal against Manchester City which they lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium last week.
But with favourable results going their way – barring Arsenal’s 5-1 mauling of Manchester City on Sunday evening at The Emirates Stadium, the former Leicester City boss opted for Jorgensen which has proven to pay off.
West Ham went ahead through Jarrod Bowen – back to full fitness after an injury on December 29 against Liverpool but Chelsea came back strongly into the game with two goals from (substitute) Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.
Palmer’s goal came when the ball deflected off the body of Aaron Wan-Bikassa.
The result sees the Blues climb to fourth place with 43 points in the Premier League.
Maresca spoke to the media on the decision to bench Sanchez.
“At this moment, Robert needs rest and Filip was very good,” Maresca said of his compatriot.
Chelsea centre back Lewis Colwill’s individual error led to the Bowen strike from an acute angle but Maresca opted to have a positive and holistic view of the outcome of the game and the effect of the results from rival clubs.
“It was a good weekend for us in terms of (other) results and we know today was even better,” Maresca, a one-time assistant to Pep Guardiola noted.
City were humbled 5-1 by an impressive Arsenal side while Newcastle United lost 1-2 at home to Fulham on Saturday.
