Bournemouth have signed goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea for £25m.
The Serbia worldwide spent final season on mortgage at Ligue 1 facet Strasbourg, who’re a part of the identical multi-club possession mannequin as Chelsea.
Petrovic was the first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea within the second half of the 2023/24 season underneath Mauricio Pochettino, however misplaced his place underneath Enzo Maresca to Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea signed Petrovic for £14m in the summertime of 2023 from MLS facet New England Revolution.
Bournemouth have been in search of a goalkeeper having had Kepa Arrizabalaga on mortgage from Chelsea final season. The Spaniard signed for Arsenal this summer season whereas Bournemouth additionally offered ‘keeper Mark Travers to Everton.
Petrovic is Bournemouth’s first important outlay on a goalkeeper since they have been promoted to the Premier League in 2015.
He was considered as a great market alternative as soon as it grew to become clear he was out there after a powerful season in France.
Bournemouth felt he was the perfect goalkeeper in Ligue 1 final season, the place he made 31 appearances and stored 10 clear sheets.
Evaluation: Did Chelsea simply promote their finest GK?
With Chelsea splashing the money on the highest finish of the pitch, it’s price remembering they’re promoting effectively too. Noni Madueke’s £52m transfer to Arsenal is about to be confirmed and the sale of Djordje Petrovic will make it £77m in main charges from gross sales this summer season.
It makes you ponder whether Chelsea are doing the proper factor by handing first-team gamers to Premier League rivals. Particularly in Petrovic’s case.
Robert Sanchez’s place as Chelsea No 1 has been challenged in recent times. Poor performances and high-profile errors plagued him final season – whereas Chelsea’s pursuit of AC Milan’s Mike Maignan hinted they might be ready to maneuver on from the Spaniard.
However Enzo Maresca has caught with Sanchez and his place as Chelsea’s No 1 appears to be like sealed after their victorious Membership World Cup marketing campaign, the place he made a few key saves within the remaining.
However ought to Petrovic – who was Chelsea’s No 1 earlier than Maresca’s arrival – have been given one other probability?
The Serbian goalkeeper had a standout season at Strasbourg, the place he was among the finest goalkeepers in Ligue 1.
His save proportion of 74.5 per cent ranked second in France’s top-flight, forward of PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. However as an alternative of Stamford Bridge, he’ll find yourself at Bournemouth.
In comparison with Sanchez and Kepa – who was Chelsea’s loaned out goalkeeper to Bournemouth final season – Petrovic was the standout participant aside type one key space – coming off his line.
Maybe Maresca is sticking together with his goalkeeper that’s suited to coping with Chelsea’s excessive line. However it’s clear that Petrovic excelled over the choice choices in most different departments.
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