Chelsea Drops Key Players, Including Petrovic, From Club World Cup Squad

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has made surprising squad decisions ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States, excluding several notable players including goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and young talent Kendry Paez. Petrovic, who impressed during his loan at Strasbourg and was viewed as a key option after Chelsea failed to sign Mike Maignan, was left out alongside Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, and Axel Disasi, sparking confusion and frustration among fans. Paez, signed from Independiente del Valle in 2023 and expected to gain European experience through a loan to Strasbourg, expressed disappointment at his omission. Chelsea will instead field goalkeepers Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, and Mike Penders, despite some fans doubting their reliability. Maresca remains optimistic about the tournament, emphasizing the opportunity to compete against the world’s top teams and engage with fans. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s transfer pursuits for Maignan and Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens collapsed, with the club planning to revisit goalkeeper reinforcements when the transfer window reopens.