Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will start in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League clash against FC Copenhagen.

“Robert starts tomorrow, yes,” Maresca stated, making it clear that the Spanish shot-stopper will be in goal for the first leg of the knockout tie.

Sanchez recently featured in Chelsea’s FA Cup match against Brighton but has not played in the Premier League since then. Maresca explained that the decision to start him in Europe is part of a broader plan to manage his game time.

“In this moment, I think he already played Brighton away in the FA Cup and then he didn’t play in the Premier League.

“Tomorrow he is going to play and we’ll see. It’s a matter to give him different kinds of games to try and help him.”

With Chelsea looking to take control of the tie against Copenhagen, Sanchez will have the opportunity to prove himself as the Blues aim for a strong result in Denmark.