Chelsea have apparently made a proposal to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. If their pursuit of Maignan fails, they are said to be using Inter Milan defender Andre Onana as their backup.Even though Onana only joined Inter at the beginning of the 2022–23 season, he was the subject of intense interest from the Blues last month.
However, Maignan is now ahead of them on their wish list, as reported by La Repubblica (via FC Inter News H/T Sport Witness).According to the Sport Witness report, Chelsea has offered Milan approximately €60 million. The Frenchman has a long-term deal with the Rossoneri that runs through June 2026.
Onana could be a target for Chelsea if Maignan cannot be acquired. According to the aforementioned report, Kalidou Koulibaly and cash might be involved in the transfer for Inter. After signing from S.S.C. Napoli just last summer, Koulibaly had a disappointing debut season with the Blues.
Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is said to be Chelsea’s other option if their pursuit of Onana also fails. Notably, Vicario only joined his current team in the summer of 2017.After both of their goalkeepers had difficult seasons in 2022 and 2023, there are rumors that the Premier League giants intend to sign a new goalkeeper.
Kepa Arrizabalaga struggled to find his best form after being reinstated into the starting lineup following Edouard Mendy’s injury. Mendy, on the other hand, only appeared in 12 games, allowing 17 goals and keeping just one clean sheet.
Taking a gander at how every one of the three supposed Chelsea goalkeeper targets acted in the 2022-23 season:
Mike Maignan, Chelsea’s top priority, had a difficult season because of a calf injury that also meant he couldn’t play in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.The Frenchman only made 22 appearances in Serie A, during which time he allowed 21 goals and kept eight clean sheets. Throughout the course of the season, Maignan made one error that resulted in a shot and had an average save percentage of 67%.
In addition, he received an unexpected assist during AC Milan’s 2-0 league victory over S.S. Lazio last month.In the meantime, Andre Onana started the season on the bench for Inter Milan. He did, however, make the Nerazzurri’s starting XI in their ninth Serie A match of the season and has largely taken over the goalkeeper position.
Onana allowed 24 goals and kept eight clean sheets in 24 league games. He had a save level of 72% and made no blunders prompting a shot or an objective in the association.His performances in the UEFA Champions League, where Inter reached the final, have been even better. Onana has participated in all 12 of their competition matches and has remarkably kept eight clean sheets. This season, he has stopped 81 percent of the shots he has faced in the Champions League.
Last but not least, Guglielmo Vicario appeared in 31 of Empoli’s 38 Serie A games this season, keeping seven shutouts while allowing 39 goals. They finished 14th in the standings for the second season in a row thanks to his efforts.