The Premier League season is over, and Chelsea ended a dismal season in typically poor fashion. It makes this summer all the more important, and a new goalkeeper will be right at the top of the list.
The 2-1 defeat to Sunderland will have a huge knock-on effect. Chelsea now go into the summer market without the lure of European football, and that is likely to have consequences in their bid to sign players.
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Players of Chelsea form a huddle
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The calibre of players targeted by Chelsea often want Champions League football. But with no European football to offer whatsoever, Chelsea are going to find this summer’s transfer window more challenging.
Xabi Alonso will have certain players in mind he feels are required at Stamford Bridge this summer, and a replacement for Robert Sanchez will be at the top of the list. Mike Maignan has re-emerged as a target.
Xabi Alonso to make Mike Maignan decision this summer
Maignan has been linked with Chelsea for years. But the AC Milan goalkeeper signed a new deal at the San Siro in January, suggesting he saw his long-term future with the Serie A giants under Max Allegri.
However, that has all changed. Failure to qualify for the Champions League has seen Milan sack Allegri as well as three senior names upstairs. Milan need to make up for the financial hit of finishing in fifth place.
Mike Maignan during Juventus FC v AC Milan
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CalcioMercato say Maignan is considering his future and without Champions League football, he is keen to seek pastures new. Milan may have to sell the Frenchman to bring in some cash this summer.
Chelsea remain ‘highly interested’ according to the report. But the report also states that Chelsea will not make a move for Maignan until Alonso conducts a ‘definitive evaluation’ on France’s no.1 goalkeeper.
Chelsea face same problem as Milan in convincing Maignan
The report says that Chelsea came close to signing Maignan last summer, six months before he signed a new deal at Milan. Now it feels as if both Milan and Chelsea will struggle to convince Maignan.
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With no European football to speak of at Stamford Bridge, it feels like a tall order to get Maignan to sign on the dotted line. The lure of Alonso and the Premier League is big, but without Europe, it diminishes.
Chelsea have the financial means to be able to buy Maignan and offer him a decent wage. But the awful defeat at Sunderland – who themselves are in the Europa League – means Chelsea will struggle.
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