The draw against Bournemouth summed up a night where Chelsea were far from their best but left the Vitality Stadium with something to build on — a clean sheet, resilience, and a goalkeeper in commanding form. Robert Sánchez delivered several decisive interventions in a tense 0–0 draw, helping the Blues steady themselves after last week’s defeat.
Bournemouth opened the match with higher intensity and created early pressure, forcing Sánchez into important first-half saves. Chelsea settled as the game progressed, struck the woodwork through Alejandro Garnacho, and saw Pedro Neto’s low drive denied by former Blue Đorđe Petrović. But while chances came and went, neither side found the breakthrough.
For Sánchez, the performance was meaningful — even if imperfect.
“If you can’t win, try not to lose”
Sánchez admitted Chelsea were disappointed not to take all three points, but was pleased with the defensive response.
“Of course, there’s a sense of disappointment we couldn’t get the win. We wanted to redeem ourselves and get three points and a clean sheet… we missed that goal, but we kept a clean sheet and we didn’t lose the game.” — Robert Sánchez
He underlined a pragmatic message:
“If you cannot win, try not to lose — and that’s what we did. We’ll take the point and go to the next game and try to get three.” — Robert Sánchez
Dealing with Bournemouth’s intensity
Chelsea absorbed significant pressure in the opening 30 minutes, particularly from Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier’s runs. Sánchez praised Bournemouth’s aggression but said the Blues adapted well.
“Bournemouth are a great team, they came with a lot of intensity in the first 20 minutes. We had to deal with that and manage on and off the ball well. That’s how we were able to manage the game.” — Robert Sánchez
He spoke about the importance of staying switched on, even during quieter spells.
“In the second half I didn’t have much to do at first… but with Semenyo, you know he will get a shot from anywhere. I had to be ready — and I was.” — Robert Sánchez
Sánchez’s statistics vs Bournemouth
An excellent individual display supported Chelsea’s clean sheet:
| Stat (vs Bournemouth) | Robert Sánchez |
|---|---|
| Total Saves | 5 |
| Goals Prevented | 0.76 |
| Saves from Inside Box | 4 |
| Punches | 1 |
| Runs Out (successful) | 1 (1) |
| High Claims | 2 |
source: Sofascore — 6 December 2025
These numbers highlight not only his shot-stopping but the command he brought to a defence still settling under Enzo Maresca.
A grounding performance for a Chelsea side in transition
Having followed Chelsea closely this season, Sánchez’s words reflect a team learning how to stabilise under pressure. In our view, this draw — though frustrating — showed maturity Chelsea have often lacked. Defensive discipline, calmer decision-making, and a willingness to manage the tempo all represented improvement.
Although some supporters may be disappointed with a goalless match, it’s worth questioning whether the bigger win was confidence regained at the back. Chelsea protected Sánchez far better in the second half and carried more control into attacking phases.
Why Sánchez’s mentality sets the tone
Sánchez’s pragmatic mindset — “don’t lose if you can’t win” — is invaluable for a young squad still finding balance. His experience, communication and composure guide the defensive unit, especially with rotation and injuries affecting selection consistency.
Clean sheets form the base of Maresca’s philosophy. If Chelsea build on this, they can rediscover momentum during a challenging December schedule.
Key Insights
- Sánchez Chelsea Bournemouth draw: keeper praises clean sheet in 0–0 stalemate.
- Says Chelsea lacked a finishing touch but improved energy and discipline.
- Made five saves, including key blocks from Semenyo.
- Emphasised managing the game during Bournemouth’s high-intensity spells.
- Encourages team to “keep grinding” for wins in upcoming fixtures.
What’s Next
Chelsea will face Atalanta next in the Champions League before they can turn attention to their next Premier League match, aiming to convert defensive solidity into attacking efficiency. Sánchez will remain central to that transition.
👉 Chelsea fans — has Robert Sanchez improves this season or do they still need a new GK?
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