Maresca CLASHES with Chelsea star and puts him ‘top of the transfer list’

Robin Bairner

• 19 Jun 2025 10:15 BST
• 4 min read

News

Chelsea have placed a first-team star on the transfer list after he made an ultimatum to head coach Enzo Maresca that left the Blues boss cold.

Djordje Petrovic enjoyed a spectacular season in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg last season, posting a string of outstanding performances while on loan with Chelsea’s sister club. He was influential in Racing’s return to Europe.

Returning to Stamford Bridge, he demanded to become the first choice ahead of Robert Sanchez for the Club World Cup. He has been frozen out since his request was rejected by Maresca.

Current ETV

Đorđe Petrović

GK

Strasbourg

Đorđe Petrović

GK

Strasbourg

€19.7M

ETV Range

€17.7M - €21.6M

View full profile

Petrovic has subsequently been placed on the transfer list and looks closest to signing for Super Lig club Galatasaray, although Aston Villa have also been linked with the player in a deal worth an estimated €29 million (£25m).

Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu explains on X: “Petrovic told Chelsea: ‘If you guarantee me the No.1 goalkeeper position, I will go to the FIFA Club World Cup and remain in the team.’

“Head coach Enzo Maresca rejected this request. Thereafter, Petrovic was excluded from the squad and put at the top of the transfer list.”

This offers an explanation why such a successful performer last season has found himself out in the cold at Chelsea, having not been included in their Club World Cup squad.

What next for Djordje Petrovic?

Petrovic, who was signed from the New England Revolution in 2023 for €16m, has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rise to €20m, yet this is still some way short of the Blues’ asking price for the 25-year-old.

Sabuncuoglu reports that negotiations between Galatasaray and Chelsea have started over the player’s future, with the Premier League giants having already knocked back the possibility of another loan move for the moment.

Despite the rift between Petrovic and Maresca, the Blues are clearly not in a rush to offload the goalkeeper, particularly with Aston Villa also tracking his progress.

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