Robert Sanchez's instability makes Chelsea‘s management monitor goalkeeper market.
In recent years, the Blues have been one of the protagonists when the subject is the transfer market. Record transactions, betting on young talents and highly profitable sales: the London club, since they changed owner and came to be administered by American businessman Todd Boehly's consortium, have been adopting an aggressive policy of investments and reformulation, transforming the squad almost every window.
And they promise to continue. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, from Sky Sport, the Blues' management are now seeking an experienced goalkeeper to reinforce competition in the squad.
That said, two main options are considered by the current world champions: a loan for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is without playing time at Barcelona, and Mike Maignan, an old “romance” of Chelsea's top brass.
Situation of Ter Stegen and Maignan, Chelsea targets
Ter Stegen
Ter Stegen was already absolute starter and crucial piece in Barcelona‘s team. But for a good while, he no longer enjoys such status. Injured, the German today is the third option in the Blaugrana goal, staying behind Joan Garcia – bought for €25m (£22m) in June and who at this moment is also injured – and Wojciech Szczesny.
The truth is there seems no longer to be an atmosphere for the keeper at the Catalan club. After being subjected to back surgery at the start of European summer, Ter Stegen saw his relationship with Barcelona sour. The German published details about the procedure on his social networks without consulting the medical department, which generated internal discomfort and was interpreted as a breach of protocol.
The attitude resulted in a brief loss of the captain's armband, subsequently returned, but the episode left marks. Since then, the environment around the number one has become more tense. Although manager Hansi Flick has sought to bring the player closer again and publicly reaffirmed his confidence in the veteran, there is a consensus that Ter Stegen's prestige within Barcelona is no longer the same. Not by chance, his departure – whether by loan or permanent – came to be considered.
Maignan
It is not from today that Maignan's name is on the agenda at Chelsea. The French goalkeeper came to negotiate with the Blues in the last transfer window, but because of AC Milan‘s high asking price, the deal was not sealed.
He remains on the London club's list, and his contract – which ends in June 2026 – could be a trump card for the English. If they want to insist on Maignan, Chelsea have two options: either convince Milan to release him for a reasonable value already in January, or wait for the Frenchman's contract to end and sign him without costs.
Unlike Ter Stegen at Barcelona, Maignan is a starter at Milan and enjoys prestige with the Rossoneri fans and squad – as well as in the France national team.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
