A number of Chelsea-owned players are currently impressing out on loan this season, but Jody Morris has raised his doubts about whether one of them will get his chance at Stamford Bridge next year.
Chelsea could have plenty of decisions to make in the summer when numerous stars return from successful loan spells.
The Blues certainly have a lot of talent they can call upon. For example, they recalled defender Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace in the mid-season transfer window. Admittedly, Chalobah sees his long-term future away from Chelsea, even though he’s part of their group right now.
Hopefully, some Blues loanees can follow in the footsteps of Reece James and Levi Colwill to become important first-team stars after developing out on loan.
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Jody Morris doubts Chelsea will use Djordje Petrovic next season
Jody Morris, the former Blues player and assistant manager, has shared his concerns about Chelsea loanee Djordje Petrovic.
Serbian goalkeeper Petrovic played 31 games for the Blues in the 2023/24 campaign. However, the 25-year-old shot-stopper has been on a season-long loan at Strasbourg in France this term, where he’s performed superbly.
Even though he’s been outstanding in Ligue 1, Morris isn’t convinced he’ll be recalled into Chelsea’s first-team squad.
When asked if Petrovic could return as Chelsea’s number one next season, Morris told talkSPORT: “I actually can’t see it happening purely on the way things materialised.
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“I thought Petrovic was the best goalkeeper last year, and then all of a sudden he was the one who had to go to Strasbourg. Whether his form and the way he’s performed over there mean we need to re-evaluate that, I’m not sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if Petrovic came back because he’s the one in form, but is that the answer from how they’re thinking upstairs? I’m not so sure.”
Recent claims suggested that Petrovic could be in Chelsea’s squad next season after taking giant strides forward in his game during a year with Strasbourg.
Petrovic has kept five consecutive clean sheets in recent Ligue 1 matches, which matched a 41-year record for Strasbourg.
In contrast, Chelsea goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen are both struggling this season, which is highlighted by the fact that head coach Enzo Maresca keeps switching between the pair. If Maresca wants to be successful at the club, he quickly needs to fix the keeper problem to find a settled and reliable number one.
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Djordje Petrovic deserves another chance at Chelsea
It would’ve been easy for Petrovic to sulk after he was harshly loaned out last summer, but he’s rolled his sleeves up and developed into a much better player.
At this moment in time, we’d definitely prefer him in between the sticks for Chelsea than Sanchez or Jorgensen.
Matches Goals conceded Clean sheets Saves Save percentage Pass accuracy Error led to goal Average match rating
22 26 8 72 73.5% 79.6% 0 7.41
Djordje Petrovic in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg in the 2024/25 season via FOTMOB
Recent rumours claimed that Chelsea have moved for Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale already ahead of the summer window as they consider the English gloveman. It’s the sort of transfer speculation that should make fans doubt whether or not Petrovic will actually get a second chance in West London.