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What Chelsea sources are now saying about another move for Mike Maignan to solve their goalkeeping issues

Mehdi Gokal

Fri 11 July 2025 14:45, UK

Chelsea are currently competing in the Club World Cup and have secured a place in the final, where they will face PSG.

While the immediate focus is on lifting the trophy and claiming the significant financial rewards that come with it, work behind the scenes is ongoing as Chelsea look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

The club have already secured two new signings: Liam Delap from Ipswich and Brighton’s Joao Pedro, the latter making an instant impact with a stunning brace in the semi-finals.

One of Chelsea’s key priorities remains upgrading their goalkeeping options, with the search for a reliable first-choice goalkeeper continuing. Among the names linked are World Cup winner Emi Martinez and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.

Enzo Maresca pushing for new goalkeeper with Mike Maignan top of Chelsea’s list

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has revealed that Maignan remains a target for Chelsea.

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri wants his goalkeeper to stay on as the captain; however, the player is yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire next summer.

Chelsea tried to sign Maignan before the Club World Cup, and while they failed to agree a deal with Milan, Bailey claims that the Blues continue to keep close tabs on the player’s situation.

He also reveals that Maresca has made it clear to the Chelsea hierarchy that he wants a new goalkeeper, with him not happy with any of the current options available.

Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, Bailey said:

“Max Allegri has talked about Mike Maignan staying on as captain, but that has little impact on the situation as he’s yet to sign a new contract yet, meaning he has one year left on his current deal. Chelsea are keeping close tabs on the Maignan situation.

“We understand that he would like to go to Chelsea. Robert Sanchez was told earlier in the summer that he can go and they offered him to West Ham as part of the Mohammed Kudus deal.

“Enzo Maresca has made it very clear that he wants a new number one. He doesn’t like any of the current options. So yeah, we haven’t heard the end of Mike Maignan to Chelsea this summer, that’s for sure.”

Mike Maignan vs Robert Sanchez

Maignan would no doubt be an upgrade for Chelsea given Sanchez’s recent performances.

Last season, Maignan kept 12 clean sheets in 37 Serie A games with a goals-against average of 1.12, while Sanchez managed 10 clean sheets in 32 Premier League appearances with a slightly better GAA of 1.06.

Although Sanchez recorded a higher save percentage (76.4% vs. 70.6%), Maignan was more consistent under pressure and better in big moments.

Maignan also shines when it comes to distribution. He completed 86.2% of his passes, excelling at long balls and build-up play, a crucial trait for Chelsea under Maresca’s system. Sanchez, by comparison, completed just 69.7% of his long passes, showing limitations in that area.

One of the most telling differences is in their ability to make high-impact saves. Maignan outperformed his post-shot expected goals (PSxG), a metric that measures the difficulty of the shots faced, with a strong record of denying big chances.

Sanchez, while respectable in this area, had fewer standout moments in high-leverage situations. It’s this ability to deliver in critical moments that makes Maignan so highly rated.

Beyond stats, Maignan offers leadership and winning experience. He’s a Serie A title winner, has been named the best goalkeeper in Italy, and has featured regularly for the French national team. Sanchez, meanwhile, remains prone to costly errors and has yet to prove himself at that elite tier.