Rosenior refuses to back Sanchez as Chelsea number one

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has warned every player must earn their place as he refused to confirm goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will remain number one at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard’s error-strewn performance in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg of the Blues’ League Cup semi-final has put Sanchez’s position in doubt for Saturday’s clash against high-flying Brentford.

Chelsea’s chances of giving Rosenior a winning start in his first home match in charge were spoiled as Sanchez was caught out of position for Ben White’s opening goal and then spilled a cross into the path of Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal’s second.

“I’m here to assess every position. I don’t have number ones and number twos, it’s not how I work,” Rosenior told a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“At every club there has to be competition. You have to earn your spot in this team. That’s the message to all of the players. I don’t have guaranteed number ones (goalkeepers) or guaranteed number nines (strikers).”

One player who looks set to depart Stamford Bridge due to a lack of first-team action is Facundo Buonanotte.

The Argentine’s loan deal from Brighton will reportedly be cut short to allow him to join Leeds.

“In terms of the games and minutes he’s had it’s not quite what he wants so we’re looking into the best solution for him,” added Rosenior.

Cole Palmer and Reece James have not played yet in Rosenior’s opening two matches in charge of Chelsea, but both trained on Thursday and could feature against Brentford.

Chelsea’s preparations for the game, however, have been hampered by the outbreak of a virus at the club’s training ground.

Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens were among those to stay away from the the Cobham training base on Thursday with high temperatures.