RC Strasbourg have made Chelsea loanee Djordje Petrovic the Player of the Season, bringing an excellent loan spell to a close. This has now presented the Blues with a defining decision on their goalkeeping pecking order.
Petrovic has played 31 league matches, where he achieved 10 clean sheets, while conceding 38 goals. His performance, dominance, and ability to perform consistently were crucial to Strasbourg’s quest to reach Europe this season. His displays have raised questions about his role on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s short-term goalkeeping crisis is marked with unpredictability. Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have been hit or miss, and the issue raised is whether the club has a long-term plan at the position. Nevertheless, there are reports that Chelsea will not sign a new goalkeeper in the next near future transfer window but rather keep close watch on available players, including returnee Petrovic.
Petrovic’s own immediate future, though, is unclear, with reportedly clubs like Leeds United and Bayer Leverkusen coveting his services. He shared how much he wants to stay at the Ligue 1 club in a video that Strasbourg shared, where he said:
“I’m not happy because it’s the end of the season and I like it here, I would like to continue for a few more weeks but… and voila, I will miss these guys.”
As Chelsea looks ahead to the 2025/26 season, the club have been given a decision. Bring back a goalkeeper who has taken some enormous steps and been consistently reliable elsewhere, or let him go to a club where he will surely continue to develop.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper search: Who’s on the radar?
The Blues are keenly looking for candidates to add depth to their goalkeeping departments ahead of the 2025/26 season. With some questions around current options, the club have some targets to introduce competition and consistency between the sticks.
Denmark’s 22-year-old goalkeeper Jorgensen is now one of Chelsea’s prime targets. The sources say that the club is in an advanced stage of talks, which will cost them between €20 million and €25 million for Jorgensen’s services. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is another name mentioned who will be making the move to Stamford Bridge.
France’s first-choice goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, has also been on Chelsea’s radar. Meanwhile, in England, Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen has been touted as a possible signing for the Blues’ goalkeeping ranks.