"He's proven what he can do" – Chelsea urged to sign 29-year-old by former player

Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Green has urged his former team to snap up AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan, hailing the France international in the process.

Enzo Maresca's outfit have earmarked Maignan as a top summer target with them failing to sign the Frenchman before the start of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. They are reportedly expected to lodge a new bid for the player, whose deal will expire in 2026, soon.

During a recent chat with the Mirror, Green was asked to offer his honest thoughts on Chelsea's recent interest in Maignan. The former West Ham United and Norwich City star replied:

"They've got a lot of goalkeepers. You look at [Djordje] Petrovic and others who weren't even at the club this season. You have five who could be competing for first team and that is too many in anyone's squad. It needs clarification. If Mike Maignan comes in and you say that's your number one, fine. It just needs that noise and unsettling nature of it to be nipped in the bud."

Green, who lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in 2019, continued:

"Mike Maignan has excelled whether that be for club or country. He's proven what he can do. Playing at Stamford Bridge is a very unsettling place. You see it when [Robert] Sanchez or [Filip] Jorgensen are playing, you see it on them, especially with the way they're playing has really forced them into a position of needing a goalkeeper to take on a role of huge responsibility."

Green urged Chelsea to make Maignan their main goalkeeper, saying: 

"And I think sometimes a fresh start in all that is a good one to say, 'This is our man, he's going to play' and almost put it back on the fans and say, 'You deal with it'. I think that's in a relationship way needs to be taken out of the goalkeeper's hands and I think signing him could prove to be the answer."

Since leaving LOSC Lille for £14 million in 2021, Maignan has registered 59 clean sheets in 163 appearances across all competitions for AC Milan.

Chelsea table offer for Spanish defender

According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Chelsea are aiming to snap up Lazio star Mario Gila this summer. But, Lazio have snubbed the Blues' first £30 million bid for the former Real Madrid centre-back.

The Stamford Bridge side are set to face competition from Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur for Gila, who is reportedly valued at £50 million.

Gila, 24, started 36 of his 43 overall appearances for his club last season, netting two goals. He helped his team finish seventh in the Serie A table.