Chelsea confirm new number for Robert Sanchez
- Sanchez initially took number 31 following transfer from Brighton
- Chelsea have revealed new number after rejigging Mauricio Pochettino's squad
- Spaniard made his Blues debut in 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday
By Sean Walsh
Chelsea have announced that Robert Sanchez has already changed his shirt number at the club, just weeks after signing from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Spain international joined the Blues on a seven-year deal earlier this transfer window, initially taking the number 31 shirt.
Sanchez started for Chelsea during their 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on Sunday as Kepa Arrizabalaga was finalising an initial loan move to Real Madrid. He had also been on the radar of Bayern Munich, but displayed a willingness to return to his homeland instead.
With Kepa gone, Sanchez has now decided to take the number 1 shirt left vacant by his fellow Spaniard's departure and is expected to be Chelsea's starting goalkeeper for the 2023/24 season, despite searching the market for another new stopper.
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Kepa had worn the number 1 at Stamford Bridge ever since he first arrived in west London back in 2018.
Prior to him, it was taken by backup goalkeepers Willy Caballero and Asmir Begovic. Club legend Petr Cech had worn the number 1 shirt for over a decade from his signing in 2004 to his exit in 2015.
Ed de Goey, Dmitriy Kharin and Kevin Hitchcock are the other Chelsea goalkeepers to have adorned the number 1 in the Premier League era.
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