Mauricio Pochettino hails "amazing" Chelsea star in major hint over future plans

27 January 2024 , 19:08

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Mauricio Pochettino has talked up Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (Image: Darren Walsh/Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino has lavished praise on Djordje Petrovic in the wake of the Chelsea goalkeeper's impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge.

The Serbian shot-stopper, 24, joined the Blues from Major League Soccer outfit New England Revolution in the summer transfer window for an initial £12.5million fee, however, he started the season as second-choice behind former Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

An injury to the Spaniard has given Petrovic a chance to impress in recent weeks, though, and he produced another fine performance to shut out Aston Villa in Friday night's FA Cup stalemate.

Pochettino took the time to sing his praises after the match - and his comments suggest that Petrovic could yet retain the No.1 jersey even once Sanchez is in a position to return to the fold.

Speaking after the match against Villa, Pochettino said of Petrovic: "He’s doing fantastic. I think we need to give full credit because he arrived this season at Chelsea from the MLS. He’s really young and he’s performing well. I think the way he is behaving in the goal, it shows his quality and his character is amazing. I think he’s doing an amazing job."

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Sanchez also arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer after falling out of favour at Brighton. But the £27m capture has been far from convincing for Pochettino's side, who are currently mired in mid-table.

Petrovic had been tagged by many as the club's long-term No.1 goalkeeper after signing a seven-year contract following his switch from the Revolution back in August.

Join the debate! Who do you think should be Chelsea's No.1: Petrovic or Sanchez? Let us know here.

Petrovic has impressed for Chelsea in recent weeks (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

He has now clocked up 10 appearances since being drafted into the team last month, keeping four clean sheets across that period. And he admitted on Friday night that the past few weeks had been a whirlwind.

Speaking to Chelseafc.com, he said: "I can’t believe I have played 10 games because it has gone quickly. I’m enjoying it and I’m just trying to implement what we do in training with the team to help us get a good result."

Petrovic will likely retain the gloves when Chelsea resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Liverpool in midweek. The two sides will also meet again next month in the Carabao Cup final after they beat Middlesbrough and Fulham respectively in their semi-final ties earlier this week.

Dan Marsh