According to a report from Express, Manchester United are gearing up to compete with Chelsea in the pursuit of AC Milan’s standout, Mike Maignan. Reports from Italy suggest that Erik ten Hag remains unconvinced by Andre Onana since his summer arrival and is considering a move for Maignan. The 28-year-old goalkeeper might command a price tag of approximately £60m, drawing interest from PSG as well. Despite previous links with the Blues during the summer, the London club, having recently lost both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, face heightened competition for Maignan.
Maignan’s Campaign With AC Milan So Far This Season
The goalkeeper from Milan, Mike Maignan, is having a solid season at San Siro, showcasing impressive performances in goal. With 11 goals conceded and 4 clean sheets and produced an assist in 11 Serie A matches during the 2023/2024 season, Maignan has maintained a rate of conceding one goal every 90 minutes while he’s playing. Specifically, his per 90 minutes goals conceded stat stands at 1.
Regarding his goalkeeping abilities, Maignan has managed to save 25 out of the 38 shots faced, resulting in a save percentage of 65.79%. The 28-year-old has also managed to distribute the ball efficiently after completing 80.2% of his attempted passes in the Italian top flight (stats via whoscored).
Should Pochettino Consider Bringing Him To Chelsea In January?
The 28-year-old French goalkeeper has carved an impressive path at San Siro, displaying consistency and reliability between the posts. Following the departures of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea finds itself in a precarious situation concerning the goalkeeping department. The absence of a reliable custodian has raised concerns, leading to vulnerabilities at the back.
Maignan’s consistent displays at AC Milan have piqued the interest of Chelsea’s hierarchy, with Mauricio Pochettino keen on shoring up his team’s defensive spine. The France international’s shot-stopping abilities and adeptness in organizing the defense align with the attributes sought after for the Blues’ goalkeeping role.
Bringing him to Stamford Bridge could intensify the competition for the goalkeeping role, given that Robert Sanchez has been Pochettino’s preferred choice this season. Therefore, it would be wise for Pochettino to pursue Maignan, potentially dealing a significant setback to the Red Devils.
