Incoming Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca singled out a £14m Blues player during conversations with the club this week.
Sky Sports claims that Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca has been holding face-to-face talks in Marbella with Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that Chelsea are poised to announce Maresca as the club’s new head coach on a five-year deal.
It’s certainly going to be interesting to see the players at Stamford Bridge that can emerge as key figures under yet another new manager.
Enzo Maresca praises Chelsea star
Journalist Ben Jacobs has just reported via X that Maresca ‘praised’ Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic during talks with the club’s hierarchy.
It is explained that the Blues are now looking at signing a new keeper this summer because of how much emphasis Maresca puts on his No 1 to build out from the back with the ball at his feet.
But Petrovic, 24, should feel optimistic that he got a positive mention from the incoming head coach.
For Leicester during their title-winning season in the Championship, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was integral. FBREF data records that Hermansen made 1846 passes in the league this campaign, which is the sixth most across the whole Leicester squad. He only made 282 long passes (15%) within that, too.
In comparison, FBREF data shares that Chelsea’s Petrovic completed 123 long passes (19%) from 635 passes in the Premier League this season.
Djordje Petrovic under the spotlight
It sounds like Petrovic may get a chance to prove himself next season under Maresca, but the demands are going to be super high and he’ll need to look more relaxed on the ball.
The Serbian goalkeeper, who’s been picked for Euro 2024 this summer, did well during his debut year in Chelsea colours. Can he hold on to the No 1 position that he earned, though?
For £14m (Sky Sports), Petrovic does go down as a good signing with a lot of potential still.
If Chelsea are going to be successful with this possession-based brand, the goalkeeper needs to become an extra outfield player when the team has the ball.