Since leaving Leicester City for the pull of Chelsea, Enzo Maresca has had to make a lot of tough choices in west London, and choosing his first-choice custodian has been one of them. Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have struggled.
Perhaps worries were allayed by Djordje Petrovic’s performances for Strasbourg. Yes, in a way, the goalie who the Italian tactician felt needed to hone his skills abroad is demonstrating why he is the team’s best choice.
The glove bearer, a five-cap Serbian international, was loaned to sister club Strasbourg in August 2024 for a season-long loan. He is expected to return this summer of 2025, eager to establish himself during the Blues’ preseason campaign.
His loan departure made it possible for the previously mentioned Sanchez and Jorgensen, who is valued at £17 million, to compete temporarily for the position of Maresca’s star custodian. However, neither player has excelled, and this is a problem that needs to be resolved before the upcoming season.
Petrovic’s Displays Could Alleviate Maresca Conundrum
Neither Sanchez nor Jorgensen have proved their worth
Is Petrovic the solution? He was instantly selected as Strasbourg’s starting custodian upon crossing the English Channel, and he has appeared in every Ligue 1 minute since. The 25-year-old has kept seven clean sheets over that period.
Petrovic’s time in the Bas-Rhin capital began with a 1-1 draw in mid-September. Since then, he and Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior have not looked back, as he has put on a string of unparalleled performances that have enabled them to make an unlikely run for European football.
The French media have taken notice of his most recent performance, which saw him defeat AJ Auxerre 1-0. The 1999-born star, who had 72 touches of the ball, produced five saves and two high claims while staying vigilant and proactive, according to Sofascore.
💙🤍 Everybody loves 𝓓𝓞𝓡𝓓𝓔#AJARCSA pic.twitter.com/fjGwdxp1Mt
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) March 2, 2025
Due to his exceptional goal-stopping skills, Petrovic, who was born in Pozaverac, gave up 1.75 fewer goals than he should have, and his passing (43/56; 77%) attracted attention from the crowd at Estadio de l’Abbe-Deschamps.
The video below shows how composed Petrovic was under duress as he dictated play from his goalmouth. In terms of stopping shots, he was able to get low and impede attempts while concealing a variety of attempts.
Djordje Petrovic vs Auxerre
🧤🇷🇸
— Nathan (@CFC_Nathan_) March 2, 2025
French daily L’Eqipue praised the former New England star by implying that Maresca erred in allowing Petrovic to leave, pointing out that the team has not maintained four consecutive clean sheets because of Petrovic.
“Petrovic, the temple’s custodian, is partially responsible for Strasbourg’s participation in European competitions. “In Burgundy, he kept his goal inviolate for the fourth consecutive game,” they said, adding, “but match after match, the Serbian on loan from Chelsea shows that he could have deserved to keep the Blues’ goal.
He prevailed in his duels with Bair (27th, 53rd), and the Alsatian goal was the consequence of his save on Traoré’s long effort (46th). In particular, he saved a ball blind from Dane (90th + 3), and he once more imposed himself oddly on a Sinayoko sequence (75th). Very sophisticated.
As of this writing, Rosenior’s team is currently ranked fifth in the French first division. When the current season ends in May, they will be eager to play in Europe. At the end of the campaign, Petrovic will undoubtedly play a key role if their continental dreams come true.
What Petrovic’s Stamford Bridge Future Holds
Maresca and his entourage looking to cash in on the 25-year-old
Last season, Petrovic was a mainstay for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, playing in 23 Premier League games and helping the team finish sixth in May 2024 with five clean sheets. But the Argentine’s luck altered when he left.
According to GIVEMESPORT sources in October, Petrovic, 25, was still determined to make the No. 1 shirt his own by pushing himself from Maresca’s back burner to the top of his mind. Have his performances in France accomplished that?
Despite having a strong start to the 2024–25 Premier League season under Maresca’s leadership, the Blues’ performances have somewhat declined, and their lack of skill in goal is a major factor.
Jorgensen, Sanchez, and Petrovic: 24/25 League Stats
The player
Petrovic
Sanchez
Petrovic
Games
21
21
6.
Minutes
1890
1890
540
Savings per 90
3.4
3.4
3.4
Conserve a percentage (%)
72.92
72.45
68.97
Sheets of cleanliness
7.
4.
One
90 touches
56.6
47.2
35.4
The door is open for Petrovic and a possible summer signing because neither Jorgensen nor Sanchez, who is currently among the tallest players in the Premier League, have made a strong case to start as the capital club’s custodian.
However, Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT recently disclosed that when the imposing Serb returns to the English city in the summer, Maresca and his group are probably going to sell him. However, he will receive a pay increase if he returns.
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