Maresca has always been tough with his squad planningplaceholder image
Maresca has always been tough with his squad planning | Getty Images
Chelsea are said to be offering out a player they have given up on as they continue their ruthless squad planning.
Chelsea are said to be actively looking to sell their £15.3million investment this summer after a big decision from Enzo Maresca. The Blues are now just a couple of days away from their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, but while competing in the United States, they must also prepare for next season, which will see Chelsea compete in the Champions League.
As part of those ruthless decisions, Maresca is said to have decided to significantly improve the quality within his goalkeeper department. Robert Sanchez is to be replaced as number one, with Chelsea having already tried - and so far failed - to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, while 2023 investment Djordje Petrovic is also set to be axed despite doing well during a loan spell with Strasbourg.
Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior said during that loan spell: “We have seen huge progress from Petro. He is a world-class goalkeeper. We see it every day, and it is still paying off today.”
But Simon Phillips has reported: "The club and Enzo Maresca do not believe he is good enough with his feet to be Chelsea number one, that’s it. And for that reason, he’s up for sale. And on Petrovic’s side, he is 25-years-old now and will turn 26 early in the winter. He does not want to play second fiddle, and he knows if he stays at Chelsea then there is no guarantee that he will be a regular starter. So he also wants to leave the club if he cannot be guaranteed this.
"So right now, both parties want the same thing and that is for Petrovic to move on this summer, and I’d be very surprised at this point if he’s not sold this summer. He has many clubs phoning his agent right now to ask about a move."
Petrovic on his Chelsea move
Petrovic joined Chelsea in 2023 from New England Revolution, and speaking last year about that move, he recalled: “I don't remember the date exactly but I started pre-season with New England in January 2023. We played until August and then I came to Chelsea and I have played a season here. It was a big change to bring my life from Boston to London. The stuff outside the pitch, getting an apartment, settling in, but I’ve enjoyed it all.
On his early progress, he added back then: “I’m only 24 years old, so I’m still learning. I want to become the complete goalkeeper and work on the details because details at this level are everything. A small step can change your decision. So I am thinking about that every day and working to get better. That is my main target moving forward: improve and become a more complete goalkeeper for this club.”
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