Brighton wanted £70m for Robert Sanchez, so how did Chelsea bag him for £25m?

At one point in the last 18 months, Robert Sanchez was so highly regarded by Brighton that his price tag was £70million.

Even earlier this summer, a Chelsea enquiry was met with a demand for £40million — which abruptly ended the discussion.

So, with Brighton currently winning the battle to keep Moises Caicedo out of Chelsea’s clutches, the price the Londoners paid for Sanchez can be considered a victory of sorts.

The final deal agreed was worth £25m. It was a price that attracted Bayern Munich too.

The German giants made a last-minute enquiry for Sanchez, checking in to see if there was still a chance to hijack his move to Chelsea.

The deal was not done at that point but Sanchez’s heart was set on Stamford Bridge, and his switch and seven-year contract were confirmed on Saturday morning.

It was his falling-out with Roberto De Zerbi that contributed to the swift decrease in Sanchez’s valuation.

De Zerbi is a meticulous manager who coaches his players in minute detail, right down to their passing options in various situations.

The result of his methods has been there for all to see but, in some cases, can also restrict a player’s freedom to make their own choices if they feel in the moment that a situation is too risky.

De Zerbi and Sanchez did not see eye-to-eye on the matter, with the manager turning to Jason Steele instead.

This was supposed to be a kick up the backside for Sanchez but Steele exceeded expectations and kept his place.

One of the key differences, Mail Sport was told, that made Steele a better fit for De Zerbi’s approach was that he was more comfortable holding on to the ball. Retaining possession that bit longer would invite opponents towards Steele and open up space behind them.

Sanchez made successive starts in Brighton’s impressive league win at Chelsea and FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United a week later, which they lost on penalties after a goalless draw, though neither were enough to see him regain his No 1 status.

Sanchez was unhappy at not playing last season and came in for criticism due to his body language, but suggestions he refused to train or sit on the bench during the final weeks of Brighton’s campaign have been strongly countered.

Still, relations with De Zerbi deteriorated to the point that another senior goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, was signed this summer and Sanchez was training with Brighton’s Under 18s while the first team were away in the USA during pre-season.

Sanchez had become Brighton’s No 1 after replacing Mat Ryan in similar circumstances — no obvious problem but the manager, then Graham Potter, wanted a different goalkeeper who was better with his feet.

If there was any dip in Sanchez’s form last season, the departure of his mentor and goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts from Brighton is likely to have played a part.

Roberts left for Chelsea in September, along with Potter, and now has an overseeing role at the top of the Londoners’ goalkeeping department so will be reunited with Sanchez.

The pair have what is described as a father-son relationship, with Roberts knowing exactly what makes Sanchez tick and which buttons to push to get the desired reaction.

Sanchez is said to have cried when Roberts left Brighton and told Mail Sport in 2021 how indebted he was to Roberts for the high-level coaching and also the tough love he received.

After Sanchez’s loan spells at Forest Green and Rochdale from 2018 to 2020 did not go totally to plan, Roberts insisted on keeping the Spaniard at Brighton where he could work with him physically and mentally. A few months later Sanchez had improved to the extent he had earned his Premier League debut.

That the 6ft 5in Sanchez had the technical and physical qualities to be a top-flight goalkeeper was never in doubt.

What was less certain back then was his mentality, and this was where Roberts earned his money.

Sanchez once told Mail Sport: ‘When you’re young you always think you’re better than the rest and that you can jump in and play.

‘But when you actually jump in and play you realise, “There is not a chance that I could have been here two years ago”. Luckily I had Ben who has put me to the ground, given me that tough love and would say, “You’re not ready at all. Stop dreaming”.’

Sanchez is said to have huge self-belief, as that memory suggests, which will be needed as he bids to prove himself at Chelsea and challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is now ahead of him in the pecking order for both club and country.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has spoken to Sanchez at length and also received positive feedback about him being a potentially world-class goalkeeper if managed the right way.

Inter Milan got a similar response when they made their own enquires as they considered replacements for Andre Onana, who signed for Manchester United last month.

Alvaro Morata recommended Sanchez to Juventus while he was there after playing with him on international duty.

The tools and talent are clearly all there. What may also be required, along with Pochettino’s man-management, is a little patience as he waits for his opportunity at Stamford Bridge.

The sort of patience that paid off for Chelsea as they finally got their man.