'Played a good game' – Mikel names Chelsea player who surprised him in CWC final

John Obi Mikel has admitted he was pleasantly surprised by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez's performance in the Fifa Club World Cup final on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium, despite previously criticizing the Spaniard.

Ahead of the showpiece clash against Paris Saint-Germain, the former Nigeria captain had urged Chelsea to sign a new goalkeeper before the new Premier League season, pointing to Sánchez’s error-prone displays last term.

He was joint-top for errors leading to goals in the English top-flight, alongside Bart Verbruggen and Arijanet Murić.

Chelsea did attempt to strengthen their goalkeeping department, but a proposed move for AC Milan star Mike Maignan collapsed before the tournament in the United States.

In the final, Sánchez proved his critics wrong with a brilliant display, helping Chelsea shut out European champions Paris Saint-Germain in a surprise 3–0 win.

The clean sheet was his third of the competition, earning him the Best Goalkeeper Award of the tournament.

Reacting to Sánchez’s performance on DAZN, Mikel said: "I'm surprised, he had a really good game today. Credit when credit is due. He did play a good game today. This save here—brilliant save, strong hands.

"That's what you need from a goalkeeper. When they don’t have much to do, when they are called upon, they are there to make saves.

"He did that today, brilliant play from him and I'm very, very happy for him. 

"Maybe, hopefully, this gives him a lot of confidence going into the new season and we can see a much better Sánchez.”

Mikel was an unused substitute when Chelsea suffered a 1–0 defeat to Brazilian side Corinthians in the final of the 2012 Fifa Club World Cup.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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