AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao. (REUTERS)
Chelsea’s 2025/26 season has been a mixed bag so far.
After a promising start that saw them remain unbeaten in their first four games—albeit with two draws—the Blues have stumbled in recent weeks. Three defeats in five matches across all competitions, including heavy losses to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and back-to-back Premier League setbacks against Manchester United and Brighton, have raised concerns.
Both domestic defeats were compounded by red cards, leaving Chelsea vulnerable and highlighting persistent issues in key positions.
While a hard-fought EFL Cup win over Lincoln and a Champions League win over Benfica provided hope that all is not lost, the overall inconsistency has prompted manager Enzo Maresca to look ahead to the January transfer window.
After a summer of heavy spending and squad restructuring, it appears the Blues are already targeting reinforcements who can address lingering weaknesses—most notably between the posts.
Blues Set Sights on Maignan
According to ASRomaLive, Chelsea have not abandoned their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The French shot-stopper was a key target during the summer, but Milan’s asking price proved prohibitive, leading the club to stick with Robert Sánchez and Filip Jørgensen.
However, ongoing struggles from both current options have prompted Chelsea to revisit the deal. Maresca is reportedly ready to relaunch the pursuit in January, with Maignan’s contract expiring next summer potentially giving Chelsea an advantage.
AC Milan may be forced to consider selling after Christmas if a new deal is not agreed. Journalist Ekrem Konur, citing ASRomaLive, reports that Chelsea remain “confident” of securing the Frenchman.
Maignan, described by Liverpool’s Alisson Becker as “physical, quick” and “one of the best in the world” in his position, would represent a major upgrade for Chelsea and could solve one of their most pressing problems.
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