Academy youngster Teddy Sharman-Lowe started both of Chelsea’s preseason matches in Australia this past week, playing the first half against Western Sydney on Tuesday and then the full-90 against Tottenham Hotspur last night. In fact, Sharman-Lowe was the only starter to complete the whole game yesterday, with most others getting substituted on 80 minutes, as scheduled. Robert Sánchez, who came on at the half against Western Sydney, was on the bench, but was not called upon.
Afterwards, manager Xabi
Alonso revealed that our first-choice goalkeeper is dealing with some sort of minor injury and it was decided to not risk him. We did not have a third goalkeeper as Filip Jörgensen flew home earlier in the week to complete a move to RC Strasbourg and young Mike Penders isn’t scheduled to join the tour until next week after his post-World Cup holidays.
“[It was] 75 minutes for many players, so it was the plan and we respected it. [But] Mike is joining us in Hong Kong, and Robert has a minor [injury], not a big thing, but not for today; and we’ll have to wait until, let’s see, for the next week. We need to go assessing almost day-by-day, but there was no point of taking risks today.”
-Xabi Alonso; source: Football.London
There’s a bit too much uncertainty in that assessment for my liking, so hopefully it’s truly nothing serious for Bob.
