Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has not been included in Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, despite the club’s refusal to meet AC Milan’s asking price for Mike Maignan in time for the start of the tournament.
Telegraph Sport can reveal that Petrovic is one of a number of players who spent the season out on loan – along with Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Axel Disasi – who will not travel to the United States with Chelsea.
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Midfielder Andrey Santos, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, has been named in the Chelsea Club World Cup squad, along with new signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
Chelsea view the Club World Cup as an extension of the 2024-25 season and have decided to maintain continuity at the tournament by leaving those players who were out on loan – other than Santos – at home. Santos will replace midfielder Mathis Amougou, who will move to Strasbourg on loan for next season.
The omission of Petrovic, who performed excellently on loan for Strasbourg, will come as the biggest surprise to Chelsea fans – particularly after the club did not meet Milan’s valuation to sign Maignan in time for the tournament.
Chelsea were willing to pay £12.7 million to sign Maignan, who has one year remaining on his contract and has refused to sign a new deal, in time for the Club World Cup. But Milan wanted almost double that.
AC Milan wanted nearly double what Chelsea were willing to pay for Mike Maignan
AC Milan wanted nearly double what Chelsea were willing to pay for Mike Maignan - Getty Images
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea revisit their interest in the French goalkeeper later in the window, but the club have reiterated their faith in Robert Sánchez, Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders, who have all been included in the Club World Cup squad.
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A number of clubs are interested in signing Petrovic permanently this summer and his Chelsea future is now in some doubt. It will be up to the 25-year-old to decide whether he wants guaranteed first-team football.
Chelsea’s interest in Maignan had put the future of Sánchez in doubt, but the club believe he improved through the season and saved the team at least nine points, which were crucial to their qualification for the Champions League.
Jorgensen helped Chelsea win the Europa Conference League in his first season at the club, while 19-year-old Penders is rated as one of the brightest prospects in Europe.
Fifa rules dictate that any player named in a Club World Cup squad is then cup-tied for the remainder of the tournament, should they move to a club also in the competition, regardless of whether he has made an appearance.
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The transfer window for the Club World Cup shut at 7pm on Tuesday night, but clubs can register new players to take part in the later stages of the tournament from June 27 to July 3.
Benfica are believed to be interested in re-signing Felix and his omission from Chelsea’s squad means he could play for the Portuguese club later in the tournament if he joined before July 3. Felix, Sterling and Disasi will all be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea increased their £35 million offer for winger Jamie Gittens to £42 million before the Club World Cup transfer deadline, but Borussia Dortmund rejected the offer.
Chelsea remain in talks with Dortmund over Gittens and could still sign the 20-year-old this month, or later in the summer window. Dortmund have been demanding a fee in excess of £50 million for the player.