**Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has urged his former club to secure the signature of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.**
The France number one can be snapped up on a pre-contract agreement next month, and Leboeuf believes the shot-stopper can provide the experience at the back like [**Thiago Silva**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-news-thiago-silva-gallas/) once did:
“Of course, Magic Mike, I don’t want to steal him from Milan, but the guy is world-class. He is so talented. I saw him playing in France, and I’ve followed him in Italy. He is a pure talent. He is a cat, I call him a cat, he can jump and catch the ball like crazy. And he is a leader. He is what Chelsea needs.”
“Robert Sanchez is doing great right now, but has made so many mistakes. He is not as talented with his feet as Mike. Maignan would be a plus, definitely a plus. Chelsea needed Thiago Silva to settle down the defence. They will need a Mike Maignan to make the difference.”
Sanchez is the man in possession of the gloves
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As Leboeuf mentions, the Blues’ current first-choice is going through a purple patch at the moment, and there are no indications that head coach Enzo Maresca wants an upgrade.
In fact, Filip Jorgensen looks resigned to the fact that he won’t be able to supplant Sanchez as the club’s number one, and he may well press to leave Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.
Will Chelsea reignite their interest in Maignan?
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Talks were held with Milan about recruiting the 30-year-old last summer, but negotiations stalled due to a sizeable gap between the two clubs’ valuations of the keeper.
Of course, no transfer fee will be needed if the Blues opt to sign Maignan at the end of his contract in June. For the time being, though, it doesn’t appear as if there is any prospect of the deal being revived.
[**Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-first-team-squad/)