Robert Sanchez joins Italian side Como on season-long loan

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has joined Italian club Como on a season-long loan, the move announced on 1 September 2026. The 28-year-old leaves Stamford Bridge after losing his place in the team to Emiliano Martinez.

Sanchez had started Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham but allowed Josh King's shot to slip through his grasp during an error-strewn display. Concerns over those performances contributed to Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, signing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m. Martinez started Chelsea's 4-3 win against Brighton on Sunday just hours after the club announced his transfer, while Sanchez was omitted from the matchday squad. Sanchez had been Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper since joining from Brighton in 2023, making 112 appearances and winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup with the club.

Those in charge at Chelsea had been keen to back Sanchez but he was later 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; Penders made his debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town last week and was on the bench against Brighton at the weekend.

Como have bolstered their squad with the signing of Italy international Moise Kean, 26, from Fiorentina on loan with an obligation to buy. Kean, the former Everton and Juventus striker, scored eight goals in 26 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina last season.

BBC Sport understands Como are managed by former Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas and have an option to buy the 28-year-old at the end of the loan. Como finished fourth in Italy last season and will feature in the league phase of the Champions League this term.