uk.sports.yahoo.com

Djordje Petrovic asked to be omitted from Chelsea squad to focus on a move

Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic asked to be left out of their Club World Cup squad after making it clear he wants to focus on his future this summer.

Petrovic wants to be a guaranteed starter after impressing on a season-long loan at Strasbourg, something Chelsea cannot offer.

Relations between Petrovic and Chelsea are said to remain good and the club understand his position.

With Strasbourg interested in signing him permanently and Premier League clubs assessing a move, both parties agreed that Petrovic would be best served trying to sort out his future rather than travelling to the United States.

Should Petrovic fail to secure a permanent move away from Chelsea that makes him a guaranteed starter, then the Serbia international will rejoin the squad for pre-season training in July.

Telegraph Sport first reported that Petrovic is one of a number of players who spent the season on loan who will not travel to the United States with Chelsea, along with Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Axel Disasi.

Midfielder Andrey Santos, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, has been named in Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, along with new signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.

Chelsea view the Club World Cup as a continuation of the 2024-25 season and have decided to create continuity at the tournament by leaving those players who were out on loan – other than Santos – at home. Santos will replace Mathis Amougou, who will move to Strasbourg on loan for next season.

Chelsea would have included Petrovic in their Club World Cup squad had he not asked to be left out, regardless of their attempt to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan.

The London club were willing to pay £12.7million to sign Maignan, who has one year remaining on his contract and has refused to pen a new deal, in time for the Club World Cup. But Milan wanted almost double that.

Goalkeeper Mike Maignan of France plays the ball during his side's UEFA Nations League 2025 third-place match against Germany at Stuttgart Arena on June 8, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany

Chelsea are interested in signing France keeper Mike Maignan but have baulked at AC Milan’s asking price - Getty Images/Sebastian El-Saqqa

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea revisit their interest in Maignan later in the window, but the club have reiterated their faith in Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders, who have all been included in the Club World Cup squad.

Chelsea’s interest in Maignan had placed a doubt against the future of Sanchez, but the club believe he improved through the season and saved the team at least nine points, which was vital to their qualification for the Champions League.

Jorgensen helped Chelsea win the Conference League in his first season at the club, while 19-year-old Belgian Penders is rated as one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in Europe.

Guaranteeing 25-year-old Petrovic a starting position at Chelsea would leave question marks over the futures and development of the 23-year-old Jorgensen and Penders.

Fifa rules dictate that any player named in a Club World Cup squad is then cup-tied for the remainder of the tournament, regardless of whether he makes an appearance in the tournament.

The transfer window for the Club World Cup shut at 7pm on Tuesday night, but clubs can register new players to take part in the later stages of the tournament from June 27 to July 3.

Benfica are believed to be interested in re-signing Felix and his omission from Chelsea’s squad means he could play for the Portuguese club later in the tournament if he joined before July 3. Felix, Sterling and Disasi will all be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Read full news in source page