Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez joins Como on loan
Retold by Oddsrama · 1 September 2026
Chelsea has offloaded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to Italian side Como on a season-long loan deal, marking a sharp fall from grace for the Spanish shot-stopper who held the number one jersey at Stamford Bridge for over a year. Sanchez started Chelsea's 3-2 Premier League opener against Fulham but delivered a nightmare display—notably allowing a Josh King shot to slip through his grasp at the near post. That costly error proved the final straw for Blues boss Xabi Alonso, who wasted little time moving to strengthen the position.
Chelsea swiftly brought in Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m, and the Argentine international made his debut just hours after the official announcement was confirmed. Martinez started Chelsea's 4-3 win over Brighton on Sunday while Sanchez was axed from the matchday squad entirely. The 28-year-old Spanish keeper had been a mainstay since joining from Brighton in 2023, racking up 112 appearances and lifting silverware including the Conference League and Club World Cup. Como, managed by former Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, have included an option to buy Sanchez outright when the loan expires.
Chelsea also have young Belgian prospect Mike Penders, a £17m purchase from Genk, waiting in the wings—he's already featured in cup competition and sat on the bench at the weekend. This situation matters for punters watching Chelsea's defensive solidity this season: Martinez's arrival signals ambition and experience in goal, though new keepers always need settling-in time. Como's acquisition of both Sanchez and Italy striker Moise Kean on loan shows they're serious about challenging for silverware themselves, having finished fourth in Serie A last term and earning Champions League football.
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