Before the start of the transfer window, Liverpool identified their targets and ruthlessly set about signing them. Manchester City could also have at least two new players before this evening’s temporary closure of the transfer window. Chelsea need to look at both clubs and see how they fell so far behind.
Liverpool and City are two top Premier League teams going about their business without a semblance of self-doubt, prepared to do all they can to challenge for trophies next season. Liverpool will break their club-record fee this summer with the addition of Florian Wirtz and have sorted out the full-back positions. City are improving their ranks after a difficult season with the potential additions of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, having already signed Rayan Ait-Nouri. Meanwhile, Chelsea have turned down the opportunity to sign Mike Maignan several hours before the window closes for a week because they did not want to pay £25m.
A goalkeeper had to be high on Chelsea’s agenda heading into the transfer window. Maignan would have been an excellent upgrade on Robert Sanchez, who struggled last season, and Filip Jorgensen, who spent the campaign as the second choice.
Chelsea have generally operated in a unique way since they were purchased by BlueCo, the consortium run by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Young players who can be developed into future stars have been prioritised.
But here, the Blues had the opportunity to sign a player who is in his prime for a relatively small fee. AC Milan, encouraged by a need to raise funds, were reportedly willing to complete a deal at £25m.
That figure is below the market value for a first-choice goalkeeper playing well in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Maignan, 29, played in all but one Serie A match last season and is a 32-time France international. If he is not world class, he is close to it.
Chelsea are reportedly now happy with their goalkeeping department. The BBC claims they trust the likes of Sanchez, Jorgensen and Djordje Petrovic, which seems a strange stance given that they have just courted another goalkeeper over the past few days.
This is a club who have signed players in large volumes over the past few years, but, when push comes to shove, the very biggest deals can sometimes pass them by. In 2023, Michael Olise made a late U-turn and signed a new contract at Crystal Palace. A year later, he turned down Chelsea in favour of moving to Bayern Munich, where he has thrived.
Had Liverpool or Man City needed a new goalkeeper this summer, it seems extremely unlikely that they would have baulked at £25m for one of Maignan’s quality. Those two teams act ruthlessly without hesitation, while Chelsea continue to look a bit of a mess in the transfer market. They could pay for it.