There will be many notes made by Liam Rosenior on Wednesday night having watched his new Chelsea side lose to Fulham from the stands, and one of them could be the need for a new goalkeeper.
It has been an issue for Chelsea for a number of seasons. Truly, Chelsea have failed to replace the loss of Thibaut Courtois in goal, spending millions in the process. Kepa Arrizabalaga cost £72m back in 2018.
While Robert Sanchez could do little about both of Fulham’s goals, scored through Raul Jimenez and then Harry Wilson, his kicking was poor. The former Brighton goalkeeper has been guilty of an array of errors.
Is Mike Penders the ultimate proof that the Strasbourg partnership actually works?👀
Mike Penders and Robert Sanchez at Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Liam Rosenior likes to play with possession, and that starts with the goalkeeper. He likes to build attacks from the man in goal, and if the goalkeeper’s passing is not up to scratch, he will have to be replaced.
Chelsea handed a boost in chase for key target Mike Maignan
It is worth saying at this point that Rosenior would love to raid Strasbourg for midfielder Valentin Barco, but that Chelsea’s new gaffer is also a big fan of Strasbourg’s on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders.
Mike Maignan looks on ahead of Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
It may be that if Rosenior is going to strengthen the goalkeeping department, he may choose to recall Penders this month. However, Chelsea are being linked with AC Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
They have been for some time. Reports claim that since his arrival as manager, Rosenior has approved a potential deal to sign Maignan from a Milan side that boasts Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea spent more than £250m on new signings in the summer, however. While Maignan could be a cheap addition given his deal ends in the summer, they may have a chance to convince Milan to sell now.
That is, after reports emerged, Milan are in talks for Axel Disasi. The defender is unwanted at Stamford Bridge and is looking for an escape route in the next few weeks. It is the perfect scenario for Chelsea.
SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?
Your potential shortlist could include:
Kobbie Mainoo
Mike Maignan
Marc Guehi
Todd Boehly and Paul Winstanley during Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
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Milan may be tempted to let Maignan go in January, now
If we put ourselves in Milan’s shoes regarding Maignan’s future, and what seems to be a likely move to London, the Italian giants will be consigned to losing Maignan. But, they’d rather do it in the summer.
Chelsea will not pay a big fee for a player that can be signed on a free transfer, even now, in a deal that would see him arrive in June. So it does not suit Milan or Chelsea to do a straight deal in this window.
Axel Disasi playing for Chelsea against Everton in the Premier League.
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That is, of course, Chelsea can find another way to convince Milan to part with Maignan early. Perhaps, that is with Disasi. If Milan do want to sign Disasi this month, then Chelsea need to use it to get Maignan.
Either as a bargaining tool to force Milan to negotiate an early sale of Maignan, or even used in a player-plus-cash deal that would still see Chelsea pay Milan for Maignan, but use Disasi as a sweetener.
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