on 3 july 2008, sanderson and arsenal teammate anita asante joined chelsea ladies. upon signing, sanderson said: "i always said i would never play for anyone else other than chelsea. i have been at arsenal for 11 years and it is a big change for me to have to leave the team, but both anita and i wanted a new challenge. sometimes you have to try new things and challenge yourself personally and i know that is what i am looking forward to doing here. so now i am just looking forward to what's ahead. hopefully anita and i will come in and help chelsea win things." arsenal manager vic akers publicly criticised the players for the manner of their departure: "you think you've the respect of players, and then they do that. it's a sorry state of affairs."