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Why Is Robert Sanchez Not Playing Tonight for Chelsea vs Manchester City?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 1:23 PM ET

Chelsea is playing against Manchester City away at the Etihad Stadium, and the team is without many key names.

Some key names that are not in the Chelsea team include Moises Caicedo, due to suspension, and their former manager Enzo Maresca, who left the club a few days ago.

Among other names, Chelsea surprised their fans with the starting lineup, which saw the absence of their starting goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez.

The Spanish goalkeeper was replaced by the Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who has only played one Premier League game this season.

Levi Colwill, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea inspect the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Sanchez is not in the squad but is present with the Chelsea team to support his teammates, along with other players who are not playing, like Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella, who are injured.

Why is Robert Sanchez Out?

Robert Sanchez is out due to a slight muscle issue that he sustained in a warm-up in the previous match.

Interim Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane revealed that Sanchez had not well since the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth a few days ago.

McFarlane said, "Rob [Sanchez] felt his injury in the warm-up against Bournemouth, he played through it and trained on Friday, and then yesterday felt like he wasn't right."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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