Chelsea’s current first-choice goalkeeper is Robert Sanchez, while the club also have Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic and Mike Penders all on their books.
However, that has not stopped Chelsea from showing interest in AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.
Last month, it was claimed that Maignan would be Chelsea’s priority if they decide to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, and it is now being widely reported that an approach has been made for the 29-year-old.
Sanchez finished the Blues’ Premier League campaign strongly, but one stat suggests Maignan could be Enzo Maresca‘s dream goalkeeper.
Mike Maignan’s passing significantly better than Robert Sanchez’s
For all of the criticism that Sanchez has faced this season, he is an amazing shot-stopper. According to FBref, the Spaniard recorded a save percentage of 76.4%, which was the highest in the English top flight.
It is also higher than Maignan’s, but where the Frenchman trumps Sanchez is passing. His distribution has been much more accurate than Chelsea’s current No.1.
| Player | League games | Goals against | Goals against per 90 | Save percentage | Passes attempted | Passes completed | Pass completion |
| Mike Maignan | 37 | 42 | 1.12 | 70.6% | 1553 | 1338 | 86.2% |
| Robert Sanchez | 32 | 34 | 1.06 | 76.4% | 1249 | 871 | 69.7 |
Maresca is a modern-day coach who is dead set on his team building from the back and controlling possession. It is why the Chelsea boss is unlikely to say no to Maignan replacing Sanchez.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has actually blamed Maresca for some of Sanchez’s errors this term, believing that he has not given the 27-year-old the freedom to make his own decisions on the pitch.
Whoever is to blame, it does not look like Chelsea are going to say no to an opportunity like Maignan. The France international has entered the final 12 months of his contract, meaning that the Blues may be able to get him for a bargain.
Mike Maignan’s potential price tag
When he was being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge back in April, it was claimed that Chelsea may only have to pay £34m for Maignan.
For a goalkeeper of his calibre, again, the Blues could be getting a bargain. Sanchez helped the club to qualify for the Champions League with a couple of big performances against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United last month, but Maignan could transform how Chelsea play out from the back next season.
