has heaped praise on former Brighton team-mate and told he wants to be ’s No. 1 following his move to Stamford Bridge.
Spanish goalkeeper Sanchez was .
The 25-year-old, who made 23 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season before losing his starting place to Jason Steele, has signed a seven-year deal in west London.
was keen to sign a new shot-stopper to provide cover and competition for current No. 1 Arrizabalaga, after Chelsea sold Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Sanchez has no plans to warm the bench at Stamford Bridge, however, and wants to become Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper following his ‘exciting’ move to Stamford Bridge.
‘I’m really excited,’ he told . ‘It’s an amazing opportunity to work with a coach of that level.
‘We’ve all seen what he’s done at his previous clubs. I think what he brings to clubs is really good and hopefully I suit his playing style.
‘I want to contribute and help the club win trophies. I know it will be a big challenge but I’m ready for it.
‘The opportunities this club will give me are amazing, to develop more as a goalkeeper, to keep learning and to compete for the No. 1 spot and show everyone how good I can be.’
Sanchez will bump into a few familiar faces at Chelsea, having played with Colwill and fellow Blues defender Marc Cucurella at Brighton.
Colwill is after impressing on loan at Brighton last term, while ex-Seagulls star Cucurella completed a £60m move to west London this time last year.
‘I spent last season with Levi and we’ve got a really good friendship now,’ Sanchez said. ‘I think the spell at Brighton was really good for him, it got him ready for what he’s going to face at Chelsea.
‘He’s a top player and still only 19, so the sky is the limit for him.’
Sanchez, who has two caps for Spain, made 90 appearances for Brighton after joining the club in 2013 at the age of 15.
Discussing Sanchez’s departure from the south coast club, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said: ‘Robert is a good guy and a really good player, but being a coach sometimes means making difficult and painful decisions for the team.
‘I wish him good luck for the future.’
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