Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has praised one Blues player in his latest press conference for making big improvements in his game this season.
For Chelsea, it’s been very much a campaign that’s got better as it’s progressed.
The Blues enter this final week of the Premier League season seventh in the table and in the hunt to qualify for Europe. Hopefully, Mauricio Pochettino’s side can get the job done in the remaining games versus Brighton and Bournemouth.
However, Chelsea have sat mid-table for most of the campaign looking upwards. They lost in the League Cup final to Liverpool and in the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City, too.
A recent three-game winning streak over Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and West Ham has lifted the mood within the fanbase.
Mauricio Pochettino recognises Chelsea man’s improvement
The Chelsea head coach has just given credit to Djordje Petrovic for his impact as the season has gone on.
Petrovic, who’s aged 24, has been competing with Robert Sanchez to be the starting goalkeeper during his first year in English football. He’s kept seven clean sheets in 29 Blues appearances across all competitions, including two in his last three appearances.
When speaking in Tuesday’s press conference, Pochettino singled out Petrovic for praise by insisting the inexperienced keeper has got better this year as he’s learning on the job.
“We have players that are improving, they are getting more mature, living their first experience in the Premier League,” Pochettino said via Football.London.
“Yes, we concede a lot of goals. Why? Because the defensive line was never established and then the keeper came from MLS and is doing fantastic but he is growing. He is discovering feelings like a player in the toughest competition, the Premier League.”
Has Djordje Petrovic been worth £14m?
Chelsea paid MLS club New England Revolution £14m (Sky Sports) to sign Petrovic last year.
In fairness, it looks like money well spent for a relatively young goalkeeper that is improving and has time on his side.
Based off this season, The Chelsea Chronicle would argue that the Blues need to go out and sign a proven high-profile gloveman to become the No 1 next year. However, Petrovic is a decent keeper in his own right that could be a great option developing and competing as the back-up option.
What Chelsea think
Journalist Simon Phillips shared via Substack back in February that Chelsea coaches do still like Petrovic and he was signed as a player with potential. It is understood that the Blues do have some concerns about his ability on the ball, though.
It’s vital that Chelsea go into next season with an established first-choice goalkeeper that is confident and a calming presence behind a young defence.
