Maresca has made a big squad decisionplaceholder image
Maresca has made a big squad decision | AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca is said to have made a key squad decision amid attempts to complete a signing.
Enzo Maresca is said to have made a big decision over involving his squad as he looks to strengthen this summer. Chelsea are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, needing a result in their last game to progress after losing to Flamengo on Friday to leave them with one win and one defeat so far.
The Blues managed to snatch up Liam Delap on a £30million deal from Ipswich Town before that tournament began, but they came up short in their bid to strengthen between the sticks and out wide. Chelsea tried to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan amid reported dissatisfaction in starting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and they also tried to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
Efforts to sign Gittens remain ongoing, with Chelsea yet to meet Dortmund’s asking price up to this point, but it seems talks over Maignan have been abandoned altogether. According to a fresh report from Fabrizio Romano, Maresca has now decided to keep faith with his current goalkeepers.
Romano wrote on X: “Chelsea have not re-activated Mike Maignan as goalkeeper option in the recent hours/days - and are not planning to do so later in the window. Talks with AC Milan and agents are off since 12 days ago; as Chelsea maintain their confidence in the goalkeepers they have.”
Chelsea are likely to replace Djoordje Petrovic, with Mike Penders set to be the competition for starter Sanchez and second keeper Filip Jorgensen. The claim is a little surprising given how obvious it has been that Maresca is not convinced by Sanchez.
The question is whether Maresca’s so-called confidence will remain if a quality goalkeeper option does become available between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
What has been said about Sanchez
Speaking in March, Maresca said of his Spanish goalkeeper: “I’ve been quite clear with the situation, with goalkeepers we are quite happy with them both, and today Robert was good.”
He said a little earlier in the season after a Sanchez mistake: “We trust Robert for sure, but in the same moment the first one who is aware he is making mistakes is Robert. Now we are one entire week [to train] and we see the reaction and decide for the next game. Robert for sure is completely aware that he has to do better. He was completely aware after the game, he knows perfectly. The good thing is that he is the first one knowing he has to do better.”
Speaking about number two keeper Jorgensen, Maresca said in February: "My message to Filip was if you play a long ball, I will change you - but it is difficult for Filip or Robert when he is playing. It is difficult for all the keepers, but they should just follow the plan."
Elsewhere in the goalkeeping department, Chelsea are likely to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan with AFC Bournemouth, There is talk of Arsenal making a move for the Spaniard.
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