Maresca wants a new stopperMaresca wants a new stopper
Maresca wants a new stopper | Getty Images
Chelsea are said to have identified their preferred transfer target in one position with the early window already open.
Chelsea are already said to be pushing ahead with their plans to land one of their targets with less than a week remaining in the early window. The Blues are about to switch their attention to the FIFA Club World Cup, but before they do, they have the chance to wrap up early summer deals, with a special early window running until June 10.
Chelsea will want to sign a player or two during that time to bolster their squad ahead of the Club World Cup, but most deals will naturally take place in the much longer summer window. Striker Liam Delap looks as though he will be the first in through the doors at Stamford Bridge, but Enzo Maresca also has a number of other positions to strengthen.
A winger and a centre-back will be needed, and it emerged this week that Maresca had decided to sign a new starting goalkeeper after deliberation aplenty this season. Maresca has not appeared convinced by Robert Sanchez this season, and Filip Jorgensen is not seen as a player who is ready to step up and be a starter.
Reports suggest Chelsea have identified AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan as their first choice target, and they have a solid chance of landing him. Maignan has just one year remaining on his current deal, and that puts Milan in a weakened position.
According to a fresh report from Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea have submitted a bid worth a touch over £21million, and it’s also claimed that Maresca has already held talks with the former Lille star to try to convince him to make a move. It’s reported that the conversation could prove key to a move taking place.
It’s also claimed that Maignan was edging towards signing a new deal with Milan before negotiations halted ‘abruptly’. It’s speculated that the change could be due to Chelsea expressing interest.
Sanchez concern
The search for a goalkeeper shouldn’t come as a concern, with Maresca regularly speaking about the Spaniard during the season. The Chelsea boss usually backed his goalkeeper, but he was more critical during one address in January when he said: "For sure, that is not very good for his confidence, but also Robert is a professional who has to learn to deal with that kind of moment. It's experience for him. He has to improve also to deal with that kind of moment during a game at home where the fans, for any reason, are not happy. He has to manage that moment.
"I didn't speak with Robert. I consider that kind of moment part of our job. You have to learn that you have to deal with that. It's already happened in the past with Robert, and he did quite well. He's getting better, but he’s still far, far, far from where I want him to be.
"I'm not thinking about the seasons coming. I'm thinking about this season. For this season? No doubt [Sanchez will keep his place]. But then in the future, we don't know. It is not only about Robert. It is not even about me, you know? I'm focused on this moment, this season. Since we started, Robert is getting better, but he is still far, far, far from where I want him to be."
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