Chelsea have reportedly reignited their interest in AC Milan's star goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, as the French international enters the final months of his contract in Italy. The news comes as new head coach Liam Rosenior begins his tenure at Stamford Bridge, tasked with assessing and strengthening the squad he inherited.
A New Era Begins with a Win
Liam Rosenior's first match in charge of Chelsea ended in emphatic fashion, with a 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. While the win against lower-league opposition provides a positive start, the true test of his early reign arrives this week. Chelsea are set to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, a match that will offer a far sterner examination of the team's progress.
Behind the scenes, Rosenior is expected to hold talks with the club's recruitment team to outline his vision for the squad, both in the current January window and for the summer. However, the extent of his direct influence on transfers remains unclear, following a pattern seen under previous manager Enzo Maresca, where final decisions often rested with the hierarchy above the head coach.
Goalkeeper Position in the Spotlight
One area that has been under internal scrutiny is the goalkeeping department. Current number one Robert Sanchez has shown significant improvement over the past eight to nine months, performing well at the end of last season and continuing that form into the current campaign. He is supported by deputy Filip Jorgensen, with young prospect Mike Penders also in the frame for the future.
Despite this, Chelsea's pursuit of a top-tier upgrade is no secret. The club actively pushed to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan during the summer 2025 transfer window. At the time, Milan's firm valuation priced Chelsea out of a move, with the Italian club confident of securing their keeper to a new deal.
Maignan's Contract Standoff Presents Opportunity
That confidence may have been misplaced. According to reports from Fichajes, no new contract has been agreed, leaving Maignan's future uncertain. Chelsea are said to be closely monitoring the situation, ready to capitalise if the opportunity to sign the 30-year-old on a free transfer arises this summer. The club are already legally able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with the player.
Maignan, an established France international, joined Milan from Lille in 2021 and has been a consistent performer. This season, he has kept eight clean sheets in 17 Serie A appearances, underlining his quality. Securing a player of his calibre without a transfer fee would represent a significant coup for Chelsea's recruitment strategy.
Rosenior's Public Backing for Current Keepers
Publicly, the new Chelsea boss has been full of praise for his current goalkeeping options. Speaking after the FA Cup win, Rosenior stated: "I'm very fortunate, in terms of the goalkeepers, that both [Filip] Jorgensen and [Rob] Sanchez are world-class goalkeepers with their feet, which absolutely suits the way I want to play."
He emphasised a gradual process of implementation, adding: "It takes time; it's a process. I feel very confident I can bring the best out of my group." While these comments appear sincere, it is common practice for managers to publicly support their existing squad until any new signings are formally completed, ensuring harmony within the dressing room during a transitional period.
The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping Rosenior's early legacy and Chelsea's squad for the future. The pursuit of Mike Maignan indicates that, regardless of public statements, the club's ambition to compete at the very top remains undimmed.
