Fresh questions are being raised about how well Chelsea did in the recent summer transfer window. Jamie Gittens does not look ready to be a regular starter for the Blues, while Noni Madueke is impressing at Arsenal. Liam Delap is out injured until December. Jorrel Hato has not exactly impressed. And Alejandro Garnacho was at fault for the late goal they conceded against Brentford.
Of course, these are early days. But in the age of social media, football is moving faster than ever, and it does not take fans long to reach definitive conclusions about players. Only on rare occasions, like in the case of Marc Cucurella, are they able to change these early impressions about them.
Most supporters wanted the club to bring in a goalkeeper in the summer. They were unsuccessful in doing that and stuck with Robert Sanchez, who, for his part, seems to have improved a ton.
Despite that, Chelsea not signing a goalkeeper did come as a surprise, especially as they tried to bring in Mike Maignan before the Club World Cup. Was it because of Sanchez's performance in the Club World Cup final? Or is there a long-term plan in play here?
Chelsea tipped to agree deal for world-class player in January
There is a belief that Chelsea did not enter the race for players like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Emi Martinez because they still want to bring in Maignan. And the French international will be available to sign a pre-contract from January.
As reported by The Chelsea Chronicle, Graeme Bailey said regarding this situation:
"From what I see, I think there’s a very good chance it’ll be Maignan, and I think we were really probably a bit guilty of not reading the room really. It’s like we did wonder publicly about why they’re not in for Donnarumma, why they’re not even in Emi Martinez when they try to sign Maignan in the summer just a matter of weeks ago.
“There’s our answer, isn’t it? The fact is they still want Maignan, they’ll be able to sign a pre-contract in a matter of weeks."
Maignan was considered amongst the best goalkeepers in the world not too long ago. His form has been on a downward trajectory in recent years though. Has that been because of his contract situation at AC Milan, which runs out next summer? We do not know. But it is pretty clear that the Blues rate him highly and if he is available as a free agent, signing the Frenchman is pretty much a no-brainer.