AC Milan's Mike Maignan. (REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo)
Chelsea fans were sent into a frenzy last week following reports that the club was in talks to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
With Robert Sánchez enduring an underwhelming season and young Filip Jörgensen failing to fully convince when called upon, the need for an upgrade between the posts was clear. For many, Maignan felt like the ideal solution.
The 29-year-old French international is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. A Serie A champion with Milan in 2022 and a Nations League winner with France in 2021, he was also named in the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024 after helping Les Bleus reach the semifinals.
Praised by the likes of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker for his distribution and composure, Maignan seemed destined for Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggested that both Chelsea and the player were keen to make the deal happen. However, despite AC Milan’s relatively modest £25 million asking price—due to Maignan entering the final year of his contract—the Blues ultimately pulled out, insisting the valuation should be lower. The decision has frustrated many supporters, especially given the club’s recent hesitations in the transfer market.
While a future move for Maignan remains possible, Chelsea will now head into the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup without their desired reinforcement.
Chelsea Make Brutal Club World Cup Call
Following the breakdown of the Maignan deal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea “maintain full trust” in their current goalkeeping options: Sánchez, Jörgensen, academy talent Mike Penders, and Djordje Petrovic, who spent last season on loan at RC Strasbourg.
But that statement may not fully reflect reality.
According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Petrovic—Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper under Mauricio Pochettino in 2023/24—will not travel to the United States for the Club World Cup. Despite helping Strasbourg secure European qualification and being expected to compete for the No. 1 shirt this summer, the Serbian has been omitted from the squad.
“Chelsea view the Club World Cup as an extension of the 2024–25 season and have decided to maintain continuity at the tournament by leaving those players who were out on loan – other than [Andrey] Santos – at home,” Law wrote.
The decision has surprised many. Petrovic had shown real promise during his initial stint at Stamford Bridge and seemed poised to challenge for a key role in the upcoming season—especially given the collapse of the Maignan deal and the current uncertainty surrounding Sánchez and Jörgensen.
His exclusion now puts his Chelsea future in serious doubt. With other high-profile names like Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, and João Félix also left out of the Club World Cup squad due to uncertain futures, it seems Petrovic may have joined the same group—players the club no longer sees as part of the project.
In the end, Chelsea’s decision is as much about who they’re taking as who they’re not. And for Petrovic, the message is loud and clear.
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