Mauricio Pochettino sent clear Chelsea selection message ahead of major injury return

Mark Schwarzer believes Djordje Petrovic can become Chelsea's long-term No.1 goalkeeper in the absence of Robert Sanchez. The injured Sanchez had started all of the Blues' games this term until he hurt his knee in the defeat to Everton earlier in the month.

Sanchez arrived from Brighton in the summer transfer window and endured a steady start to life at Stamford Bridge. His injury, though, has meant a chance in between the posts for Petrovic, who was also signed in the summer from New England Revolution.

Petrovic is a lot less experienced than his counterpart Sanchez but has thus far showed his potential for Chelsea. His best moment undoubtedly was his penalty shootout heroics in the Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Newcastle United last week, where the Serbian saved Matt Ritchie's kick from 12 yards to send the Blues through to the last four of the competition.

«Yeah, absolutely,» Schwarzer said when asked by football.london and LiveScore Bet whether Petrovic can now take Sanchez's spot as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. «Look, I've not been overly sort of excited about the way that Robert Sanchez has played.

»I think there's been a lot of inconsistency. I think it's tough for any goalkeeper coming into that team at the moment because of the instability. They've obviously had a lot of injuries along the way and obviously, Robert Sanchez is now one of those injured players.

«So it does give Petrovic an opportunity to stake a claim. The one thing against Petrovic is just a complete lack of experience right at this level. But the only way you get it is by playing games, right? And he's forced in that position.

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Mauricio