Chelsea have an EASY solution to Maresca's biggest problem

Cameron Smith

3 Mar 2025 11:15 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea have spent over €1.2 billion on new signings since Clearlake Capital’s arrival in 2022, yet there are still several glaring holes in Enzo Maresca’s squad.

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Centre forward remains a huge issue for the Blues, following Nicolas Jackson’s notable dip in form over the festive period, but Chelsea’s lack of a reliable goalkeeper is the single biggest problem at Stamford Bridge.

Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen were both error-prone before their arrivals in west London and they have, therefore unsurprisingly, continued to make high-profile mistakes so far this season.

Neither look reassured in possession, with Chelsea supporters growing increasingly impatient with Maresca’s insistence on playing out from the back, while their shot-stopping ability isn’t elite either.

Despite this, Chelsea have reportedly decided against signing a new goalkeeper this summer.

The Blues have been linked with a number of stars over the past few months, including Aaron Ramsdale, Gregor Kobel and James Trafford, but they have opted to retain faith in their current crop of shot-stoppers.

Luckily for Blues fans, however, that includes Djordje Petrovic.

© IMAGO - Djordje Petrovic is currently on loan at Strasbourg

Djordje Petrovic: Chelsea’s next number one?

Petrovic arrived at Stamford Bridge from New England Revolution for €16 million in 2023, and he established himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred goalkeeper during the second half of last season.

However, the Serbian was quickly sidelined following Maresca’s arrival, with the new Chelsea boss eager for Sanchez and Jorgensen to compete for the number one berth due to their perceived quality in possession.

As a result, Petrovic was sent out on loan to Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club, and his form for the French side has been simply exemplary.

Petrovic has kept seven clean sheets so far this season and Strasbourg boast the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues over the past three months, with only five goals conceded in their last 11 Ligue 1 matches.

Current ETV

Đorđe Petrović

Strasbourg

Đorđe Petrović

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€17.7M - €21.7M

Petrovic has played an integral role in their impressive recent form and he is set to return to Chelsea this summer in order to challenge for the number one spot.

The 25-year-old was included in L’Equipe’s Team of the Week following his immense performance during Strasbourg’s 1-0 win over Auxerre on Sunday, meanwhile his pass accuracy this season (79.4%) is far better than Sanchez’s (69.8%).

Given the recent woes of Sanchez and Jorgensen, Petrovic’s spectacular form at Strasbourg, and his performances for Chelsea last season, Maresca should have an easy decision on his hands.

Petrovic is quite clearly the best goalkeeper on Chelsea’s books and following the club’s decision to stick rather than twist this summer, he should be in between the sticks for the Blues’ opening game of next campaign.