‘World-class’ Chelsea talent hints he wants to stay with loan club next season

Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic says staying put at Strasbourg ‘could be a very good option’ in the summer.

Petrovic joined Todd Boehly-owned Strasbourg on a season-long loan deal on deadline day, with Robert Sanchez selected as Chelsea’s number one for the 2024/25 campaign.

The Serbia international has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay between the sticks for Strasbourg, starting all but three of the club’s matches in Ligue 1 this term.

Meanwhile, Sanchez has made a series of costly errors across a tremendously difficult campaign at Chelsea, culminating in the former Brighton ‘keeper losing his place to Filip Jorgensen last month.

While Sanchez returned to Chelsea’s line-up for the side’s recent defeat to Arsenal, serious questions have been asked over the Spaniard’s long-term future in west London.

It leaves a possible opening for Petrovic at Stamford Bridge next season and there have been calls amongst the fanbase for the 25-year-old to be given a chance by Enzo Maresca.

Petrovic, though, remains fully focused on Strasbourg for the time being and appears open the idea of extending his stay with the French outfit beyond the end of the season.

‘Every goalkeeper wants to make saves. I work every day to improve so I can be there when my team-mates need me on the pitch,’ Petrovic told reporters ahead of Strasbourg’s return to top-flight action against Lyon.

‘I’ve become a more complete goalkeeper than before I came to Strasbourg.

‘The coach really encourages us to play with the ball and take risks. It’s a lot of detail and concentration. This also comes from the staff, who give us a lot of confidence.’

Petrovic added: ‘I’ve always had confidence in my ability to improve. I’ve made more progress than I expected. I still have a bit of room to improve before the end of the season.

‘I’m focused on finishing the season in the best possible way. We’ll see what happens this summer.

‘Staying could be a very good option if Strasbourg plays in the Champions League.’

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior has not been ‘surprised’ by Petrovic’s impact this season and believes the goalkeeper is a genuine ‘world-class’ talent.

‘I’m not surprised by Petro’s progress,’ Rosenior said.

‘We explained to him at the start of the season that where we want to take him will be difficult.

‘He has a lot more confidence now. He’s more connected with the players on the pitch.

‘He’s showing today that he’s a world-class goalkeeper.

‘If things continue like this, he can become a very, very great goalkeeper.’

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