• Published1 September 2026

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has joined Como on a season-long loan after losing his starting spot to Emiliano Martinez.

Sanchez started the Blues' 3-2 win against Fulham in their Premier League opener but allowed Josh King's shot to slip through his grasp at the near post during an error-strewn display.

Concerns over the Spaniard's performances led to Xabi Alonso's side signing Argentina's Martinez from Aston Villa in a £7.5m deal.

Martinez started Chelsea's 4-3 win against Brighton on Sunday - just hours after the club announced his transfer - while Sanchez was dropped from the matchday squad.

Sanchez, who was Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper since joining from Brighton in 2023, made 112 appearances and won the Conference League and the Club World Cup with the Stamford Bridge club.

BBC Sport understands Como, managed by former Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, have an option to buy the 28-year-old at the end of the loan.

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        Sanchez's exit represents a remarkable turnaround in opinion at Stamford Bridge.

        Those in charge at Chelsea had been keen to back Sanchez but he was deemed surplus to requirements after his mistakes against Fulham and the arrival of Martinez days before the transfer deadline.

        The club also have Mike Penders, a £17m signing from Genk, among their options. The Belgian made his debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town last week and was on the bench against Brighton at the weekend.

        Meanwhile, Como have also signed Italy international Moise Kean, 26, from Fiorentina on loan with an obligation to buy.

        The former Everton and Juventus striker scored eight goals in 26 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina last season.

        Como finished fourth in Italy last season and will feature in the league phase of the Champions League this term.

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