Chelsea never stopped admiring Mike Maignan after missing out on signing him last summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Blues are ready to pounce on any uncertainty at AC Milan to bring Maignan to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea still desperately need a goalkeeper, with Filip Jorgensen failing to convince and Robert Sanchez still unreliable despite his uptick over the past year.
Mike Penders will likely return to Chelsea next season, but dipping into the market for an experienced option wouldn’t be a bad idea.
After struggling for form over the previous two seasons, Maignan was back to his best this term.
The 6ft 3in goalie has kept 13 clean sheets in 35 Serie A games. His kicking has also been immaculate.
Maignan has saved two out of eight penalties that he has faced in the league this season and has been a reliable leader in the dressing room.
The French international might consider an exit this summer. However, he wants Champions League football, which Chelsea are unlikely to offer.
Maignan would be an excellent signing
If Chelsea and their sporting directors are finally ready to snap out of their obsession with unfinished talent, signings such as Maignan should be their priority.
There is only so long you can keep gambling on potential while the team continues to suffer from instability in crucial positions.
Sanchez and Jorgensen do not inspire confidence at the highest level, and Chelsea cannot head into another season pretending otherwise.
Maignan brings authority, elite shot-stopping, leadership and composure under pressure, qualities Chelsea’s chaotic backline has badly lacked.
Just as importantly, he would provide the perfect environment for Penders to develop properly, rather than being thrown into the fire too early.
Learning behind one of Europe’s most complete goalkeepers for a season or two could accelerate Penders’ path towards becoming a future elite number one.
Maignan’oozes confidence‘ and Chelsea should do everything possible to convince him to postpone Champions League football for one year and help build something at Stamford Bridge.
