Chelsea confirm deadline day move for Mauricio Pochettino favourite

Chelsea have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino favourite Dorde Petrovic has secured a deadline-day move away from Stamford Bridge.

It is almost a year to the day since Chelsea signed Petrovic in a £14m deal from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution.

Petrovic built an impressive body of work in America, keeping four clear sheets in one month during his first season in the MLS and finishing that campaign as a contender for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Newcomer of the Year.

The Serbia international continued to impress in 2022-23, become the fastest player in MLS to save five penalties and being named in the MLS All-Star team.

Petrovic was expected to be Chelsea’s back-up goalkeeper last season but took advantage of an injury to No. 1 Robert Sanchez in December to finish the campaign as Pochettino’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old made 31 appearances in all competitions but failed to win over Pochettino’s replacement Enzo Maresca, who has gone back to Sanchez for the start of the new season.

Chelsea have now sent Petrovic out on loan to Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg and say they will ‘monitor’ his progress throughout the year.

‘Djordje joined the Blues last summer from New England Revolution and made 31 appearances, including a start in the Carabao Cup final, during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge,’ they said in a statement.

‘The 24-year-old will now continue his development in the French top flight. We look forward to supporting and monitoring Djordje throughout his loan spell. Good luck, Djordje!’

Petrovic is not the only goalkeeper departing Chelsea before the summer transfer window closes, with Kepa Arrizabalaga joining fellow Premier League club Bournemouth on a season-long loan.

Kepa remains Chelsea’s most expensive goalkeeper after his £71m arrival from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

‘I know Andoni Iraola well, so of course that was a big reason for coming here, he spoke very well about everything here,’ said the 29-year-old, who played for Real Madrid on loan last season.

‘I am so ready to be here and play in front of our fans. Hopefully we can win something and it could be a great year.’

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