Chelsea made hard work of their return to Premier League action at the weekend when they faced Leicester City in the Premier League.
The Blues inserted themselves back into the top four of the table with a 1-0 win over their relegation-threatened opponents, thanks to a brilliant Marc Cucurella goal.
Chelsea had been frustrated in front of goal throughout the afternoon, and the nightmare run of form endured by Cole Palmer was only worsened.
With no goals in six Premier League games going into this game, Chelsea’s star man was given his best chance to break that streak when the Blues were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jadon Sancho.
After never missing for club or country in his senior career, Palmer saw his spot kick saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
The 24-year-old was certainly kept busy at Stamford Bridge, making seven saves in a performance that has summed up his season so far.
Mads Hermansen vs Chelsea Total
Saves 7
Penalty saves 1
Passes 24/46
Goals prevented 0.52
Touches 57
While the stats may not look great when it comes to his passing, the majority of these misplaced efforts came when under significant pressure, where a long ball up field was clearly the better option.
In truth, the Dane is extremely composed with the ball at his feet, something that has not always been the case when current number one Robert Sanchez has started.
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Enzo Maresca wants a new goalkeeper for next season, and is prioritising signing one who is very competent in possession.
With no names currently standing out as the clear favourite to make the move, Chelsea should be looking at the Leicester man as an opportunistic deal, especially with the likelihood that his club are relegated at the end of this season.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s thoughts on Mads Hermansen
Maresca has experience working with the goalkeeper during his one season at the King Power, as the number one played a key role in his side winning the Championship.
The Italian was a big fan of what he saw from him for the opposition side at Stamford Bridge too, with the Blues being kept to just one goal.
He said to BBC Sport: “Don’t forget that Leicester against Arsenal for 80 minutes was 0-0. It’s not easy. We created enough to be one goal ahead of them.
“The Leicester keeper is brilliant and Cole is going to score more penalties and miss more.”
Maresca wanted to sign Hermansen last summer, however should make sure Chelsea insert themselves back into the conversation for his signature at the end of this campaign.