Chelsea complete clever signing from Brighton as new arrival sends strong message to Pochettino

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Robert Sanchez from Brighton as their new goalkeeper to compete with compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga.

After selling Edouard Mendy to Al Ahli earlier in the summer, Chelsea were in the market for a new goalkeeper. Sanchez, meanwhile, had fallen down the pecking order at Brighton, but remained an attractive proposition in the transfer market.

Now, Chelsea have announced the arrival of Sanchez on a seven-year contract. He will challenge fellow Spain international Arrizabalaga for the number one spot at Stamford Bridge.

Upon his arrival at Cobham, Sanchez explained how confident he is that he has made the correct decision for his career.

The 25-year-old said: “I think choosing Chelsea is the best choice I could have made because the opportunity that they have presented in front of me is amazing, to develop more as a goalkeeper, to keep learning and to compete for the spot and show everybody how good I can be and what I can provide to the club for the next years to come.”

Furthermore, Sanchez believes he will be an ideal fit for how new Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino wants his side to set up.

Asked about his feelings for working with Pochettino, Sanchez said: “Really excited. Amazing opportunity to work with a coach of that level.

“Obviously I’ve watched him with his past clubs and what he’s done and I think what he brings to the club, the family ambient around the players is really good and obviously his playing style is something I think I suit really well and I’m going to contribute good to win trophies for the club with him.”

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Sanchez signing excites sporting directors

According to Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Sanchez is a proven option in the Premier League.

Winstanley and Stewart added: “We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit.

“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead.”

Sanchez previously came through the Brighton academy but is leaving them after 90 appearances for the first team.

Bidding farewell to his former club, he said: “Obviously Brighton has given and provided me with everything I needed as a goalkeeper inside and outside the pitch to get maximum potential out of me and obviously I’m really happy and thankful of them.

“Obviously now it’s another bigger challenge and I’m ready for it.”

Sanchez will reunite with former Brighton teammate Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge after his own move to Chelsea last year. Furthermore, he is heading in the same direction as Levi Colwill, who has signed a long-term contract to stay with the Blues after his loan spell at the Amex Stadium last season.

Chelsea have also shown strong interest in midfielder Moises Caicedo, but Brighton do not expect them to meet their asking price for the Ecuador international.