AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan passes on the opportunity to join Chelsea
French goalkeeper Mike Maignan has rejected an offer to join Chelsea this summer because he wants to play in the Champions League next season.
According to Foot Mercato, (h/t Express), the former LOSC Lille goalkeeper has snubbed the move to West London. The Blues are in search of a new number one given the struggles faced by Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy.
Maignan, along with Andre Onana, has become a prominent goalkeeper in Europe, and both are on the radar of many top clubs. The duo have played key roles in their club’s respective success in recent years.
The Frenchman’s shot-stopper growth has been phenomenal, having won the Ligue 1 title with Lille and then lifting the Scudetto with AC Milan in the 2021/22 season.
He also helped the Serie A club reach the Champions League semi-final this season where they were eliminated by city rival Inter Milan. The 27-year-old has also become France’s first-choice goalkeeper following the retirement of Hugo Lloris this season. Meanwhile, the Blues are in the market for a top goalkeeper and see Maignan as an upgrade for next season.
Chelsea’s current custodian, Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga, is inconsistent between the sticks, while Edouard Mendy’s future remains unclear at Stamford Bridge. Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino has added Maignan to his wishlist alongside Inter goalkeeper Onana.
Signing Maignan as our custodian could have been an improvement given the Frenchman’s talents. He possesses excellent ball-control capabilities that will fit Pochettino’s style of play. It has become customary for managers to favour goalies with excellent distribution abilities.
But his decision to remain at Milan, because he wants to play in the Champions League, is reasonable, although the Rossoneri aren’t frequent participants in the competition, and even if they are, they have not won it since 2007.
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Due to a change in ownership and managers, we only missed out on the Champions League by one season. Hopefully, Pochettino’s arrival will help us to compete in the tournament sooner.