During talks with the club this week, newly appointed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca singled out a £14 million Blues player.
According to Sky Sports, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, have been having in-person meetings in Marbella with Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea is expected to name Maresca as the team’s new head coach on a five-year contract, according to The Telegraph.
Seeing which Stamford Bridge players can become important figures under yet another new manager will undoubtedly be interesting.
Enzo Maresca commends. Chelsea player
Journalist Ben Jacobs recently revealed via X that during discussions with Chelsea’s management, Maresca “praised” goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It is explained that because of the emphasis Maresca places on his No. 1 to build out from the back with the ball at his feet, the Blues are now considering signing a new keeper this summer.
However, Petrovic, 24, should be encouraged that the new head coach gave him a positive mention.
Understand Chelsea are exploring a new goalkeeper for this summer. It's become more of a priority position because of the kind of profile Enzo Maresca's system requires.
Villarreal's Filip Jorgensen is one possible target, as @NizaarKinsella called. But also keep an eye on… pic.twitter.com/kiDImJCEhf
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 29, 2024
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was essential to Leicester during their Championship-winning campaign. Hermansen made the sixth-most passes of any player in the Leicester squad this season with 1846, according to FBREF data. In that time, he only completed 282 long passes (15%).
In contrast, Petrovic of Chelsea completed 123 long passes (19%) out of 635 passes in the Premier League this season, according to FBREF data.
Highlights for Djordje Petrovic
Under Maresca, it sounds like Petrovic might have an opportunity to prove himself the following season, but he’ll have to play with more ease because the bar will be very high.
The Serbian goalkeeper performed admirably in his first season playing for Chelsea. He has been selected for Euro 2024 this summer. But can he maintain the top spot that he rightfully earned?
Petrovic is a good signing for £14 million (Sky Sports) and still has a lot of potential.
When the team has the ball, the goalkeeper needs to step up as an extra outfield player if Chelsea is going to succeed with this possession-based strategy.
