Chelsea Make Surprising Snub Amid Failed Transfer Pursuit

Chelsea have recently been strongly linked with signing a new goalkeeper, with AC Milan’s Mike Maignan reportedely their top target. However, new reports suggest the West London club have withdrawn from negotiations, refusing to meet AC Milan’s valuation. Matt Law of The Telegraph has now revealed the club have decided to leave Djordje Petrovic out of their Club World Cup squad despite the failed pursuit of Maignan.

Chelsea Withdraw from Mike Maignan Transfer Pursuit

Chelsea Make Big Call Regarding Djordje Petrovic

The pursuit of Maignan suggests the club were not convinced by Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, both of whom made costly errors during the season.

Signing Maignan would have undoubtedly strengthened a weak area of the team, providing an upgrade in ability and experience, vital for this improving, young Chelsea side.

Maignan undoubtedly has better distribution than both goalkeepers, but with that deal now off, it wasn’t out of the question that Djordje Petrovic might feature at the Club World Cup after his impressive loan spell at Strasbourg.

However, Matt Law has now revealed that Petrovic will not be travelling with the squad for the CWC, a surprise decision, considering Chelsea will now have to rely on Sanchez, Jorgensen and the promising young Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders.

Djordje Petrovic and Others Miss Out on CWC Squad

Petrovic is not the only returning Chelsea player to miss out on the CWC squad, with Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix the two big names not travelling. The only returning loan player making the squad is the highly-rated Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.

Scrolling through X, it’s clear how annoyed many Chelsea fans are by the club’s unwillingness to meet AC Milan’s asking price of nearly £21m. The Conference League winners have already signed Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez, Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr. It appears the club won’t stop there, with Jamie Gittens another heavily linked with the club.