12. Filip Jorgensen

[Vesper 28,993]

Filip Jørgensen ready to battle Robert Sanchez for Chelsea No 1 spot

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5676740/2024/08/02/filip-jorgensen-Chelsea-sanchez/

Filip Jorgensen says he is ready to battle Robert Sanchez to be the first choice goalkeeper at Chelsea.

Jorgensen completed a €24.5million (£20.7m, $26.6m) move from Villarreal earlier this week and flew out to the United States of America to join the club on their pre-season tour.

The 22-year-old has already made his first appearance, replacing Sanchez at the start of the second half in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Club America.

New head coach Enzo Maresca has yet to confirm who his main ‘keeper will be this season and Jorgensen is ready to fight for his place in the side.

He said: “I came here to compete with him (Sanchez). Then, of course, the one who chooses is the manager. I try to do my best every day, to get better. Then at the end of the day, it’s the manager who will decide who will play.

“We (Maresca and Jorgensen) talked a bit (before joining). He wanted me to come here and I wanted to come as well. It was a short conversation just to get to know each other a little bit.

“Everyone welcomed me very well, to be honest. Robert as well. He seems to be a very good guy, a good trainer, and I think we will compete good. We will have good competition.”

Jorgensen reveals he ignored interest from a number of other Premier League clubs in favour of a move to Stamford Bridge — as well as from a Ligue 1 team in France.

He recorded the most saves in La Liga for Villarreal last season (143), but one of the main reasons the Denmark Under-21 international, who agreed a new five-year contract at Villarreal only a few months ago, has been signed is because he fits Maresca’s philosophy of having a keeper that is comfortable in possession.

Jorgensen added: “In Spain, we also always try to build from the back and try to play with the goalkeeper. I would say I’m pretty confident with that. I have some knowledge of how the manager wants to play but it’s been very quick. I have seen some videos, I have trained (with the team), but I am looking forward to getting to know his style of play better.

“In the summer, we got some clubs calling, and they wanted me to come. But in the end, when Chelsea called, there was no doubt for me. The club and my agent, we knew it was Chelsea where we wanted to go, so I’m very happy.

“I have taken the first steps. I am very happy. Now we have to keep building and getting to know the players better.”

Chelsea begin the new Premier League campaign against champions Manchester City on August 18.

GO DEEPER

Filip Jorgensen to Chelsea: The Athletic 500 transfer ratings

[IMissEden 21]

I think he’s going to show, think he just did, the best distribution from a GK here since Terry 

[King Kante 1,500]

He actually looked OK yesterday. He appeared in the small sample to be at least a couple of levels up on distribution and passing anyway. Let's see how things go. As I always say I need 10 full games to judge a player - with GK this can be a bit longer. 

[Vesper 28,993]

13 hours ago, King Kante said:

He actually looked OK yesterday. He appeared in the small sample to be at least a couple of levels up on distribution and passing anyway. Let's see how things go. As I always say I need 10 full games to judge a player - with GK this can be a bit longer. 

the big probelm is that Maresca say he is going to rotate keepers and Sanchez is, until it changes, the EPL keeper

[King Kante 1,500]

4 hours ago, Vesper said:

the big probelm is that Maresca say he is going to rotate keepers and Sanchez is, until it changes, the EPL keeper

Yeah. I have seen that. Ridiculous.