[monks data]

Premier League | Gameweek 17

Dec 16, 2023 at 3pm UK

Kingsmeadow

Chelsea
2 - 0
Sheff Utd

Palmer (54'), Jackson (61')
Gallagher (52')

FT(HT: 0-0)

McAtee (42'), Hamer (63'), Lowe (74')

Pochettino backs Djordje Petrovic to impress in Robert Sanchez absence

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 December 2023

Pochettino backs Petrovic to impress in Sanchez absence

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino backs deputy goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to impress in the absence of the injured Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has given his backing to goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic who will be thrust into the limelight over the coming weeks.

Since arriving from New England Revolution in August, Petrovic has been kept in reserve and has been playing second fiddle to first choice Robert Sanchez.

Pochettino has even opted against using the Serbian in Chelsea's EFL Cup fixtures against the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion and Blackburn Rovers.

However, the 24-year-old was forced into action last weekend when Sanchez was withdrawn during the closing stages of the Premier League fixture with Everton.

With the Spaniard aggravating a knee problem, the exact timeframe of his recovery is unclear, but Pochettino revealed on Friday that it would be at least "a few weeks".

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino during Burnley game on October 7, 2023. © Reuters

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's meeting with Sheffield United, Pochettino acknowledged that Reece James and Marc Cucurella fell into a similar category regarding their respective hamstring and ankle injuries.

The Argentine spoke more openly on Petrovic, though, and he feels that he has shown enough potential on the training pitch to successfully deputise for Sanchez.

Pochettino said to the media: "When you suffer an injury and lose a number one, he is always a player that you are going to miss, but I think that we have another keeper that is working really hard to be ready for this type of thing.

"Of course, very sad that we are going to lose a player for maybe a few weeks. We are still waiting to see the situation with Robert, but also with Reece and Marc.

New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic in September 2022 © Reuters

He added: "Of course, I have faith in all my players. He arrived at Chelsea because we believe that he has great potential.

"Of course, he is young, and he came from different football in the USA, but after four or five months working with us, I think is the moment for him to step up and feel good because we have the confidence in him, trust in him."

Across the previous two seasons in MLS, Petrovic made 43 appearances, conceding a total of 54 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets.

However, he has not started a competitive game since August 8 courtesy of being signed by Chelsea to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made the switch to Real Madrid on loan.