Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has made a bold plea: Chelsea should revive their interest in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan when the January window opens. Speaking on talkSPORT, Cundy said Maignan could be available as a free agent next season and it’s time Chelsea step up their pursuit.
Why Cundy is Pushing this now?
Cundy argues that Chelsea’s current goalkeeping dilemmas have become too visible. Robert Sanchez was sent off early in the Manchester United game. Meanwhile, Filip Jorgensen drew criticism for shaky displays against Lincoln. Cundy believes these moments indicate Chelsea cannot rely on status quo. He asked: if Maignan was a target in August, why not fight for him in January?.
The Summer Attempt That Failed
Chelsea already tried to land Maignan in the summer. They reportedly reached personal terms, but a deal fell apart because of a gap in fee expectations with Milan. Chelsea offered a sum far below what Milan wanted, so negotiations stalled.
Now, with Maignan’s contract running down, Cundy sees an opening. If Milan allow a pre-contract or sell cheaply, Chelsea could finally close this deal.
Chelsea’s Conflicting Plans
However, there’s tension internally. Some reports suggest Chelsea do not wish to block Mike Penders’ path to becoming a top keeper. Penders, highly rated and on loan at Strasbourg, is part of a future plan. Acquiring Maignan might complicate that.
Also, Chelsea’s lack of action in summer suggests they were not fully committed. Their low offer and cooling of interest hint that Maignan might have been a backup plan, not a priority.
Author’s Insight
Cundy’s call feels urgent for a reason: Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation risks costing them in tight games. Maignan could deliver reliability, experience, and calm under pressure. But making that move must be done with care. If Chelsea press too hard, it might block Penders’ growth or upset keeper hierarchy. Good timing, a smart offer, and clear communication will matter. Come January, this could be a turning point — but only if Chelsea act wisely rather than react hastily.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
