Chelsea have been linked with the addition of a new goalkeeper this summer who could bring some much-needed experience to their first team squad.
The Blues have been linked to the signing of Mike Maignan from AC Milan, a player who they have held an interest in for a number of years now.
Chelsea have spent the season with either Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen between the sticks, and while the Spaniard impressed Chelsea fans late in the season, it would be argued by few that the Milan star wouldn’t be an upgrade.
Maignan is far better at passing than Sanchez, and with Enzo Maresca’s tactics relying heavily on building up from the back, it is no surprise that the manager has signed off a potential deal to sign him.
Chelsea fans will love Mike Maignan after dig at Romelu Lukaku
Having featured in Serie A for a number of seasons now, he has experience going one-on-one with some of the best strikers in Europe. One of those has been Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian featured for Inter Milan, Roma and now Napoli either side of a spell at Stamford Bridge, and upon his return to Italy, Maignan was asked about how he prepares to face top forwards.
He proceeded to make a cheeky dig at Lukaku, not naming him as one of the strikers he has studied in the past.
He said via MilanNews: “I like to study the forwards. I have to watch the attackers more than the goalkeeper. When during the match the striker comes in front of me, I have to understand first what he might do: if he shoots, if he makes a pass.
“Lukaku? I haven’t studied him yet. Will I study him? [laughs] Maybe,”
Maignan’s record against Lukaku
Despite having confidence up against the striker, the goalkeeper’s record is not strong when it comes to matches played against each other.
Lukaku has come out on top in six of the nine meetings playing for various sides, including two wins on his way to Serie A glory this season.
The former Chelsea striker scored in both of those games, much to the annoyance of Blues supporters who believe he burned bridges with them during his time in West London.
A dig towards an unpopular player at Stamford Bridge will always go down well with fans, and it looks as if Maignan has put himselves in their good books before even making the move to the club.
