{"id":158798,"date":"2025-09-21T12:37:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T12:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/158798\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T12:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T12:37:14","slug":"chelsea-have-free-transfer-opportunity-after-robert-sanchezs-red-in-man-utd-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/158798\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea have free transfer opportunity after Robert Sanchez&#8217;s red in Man Utd defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea were forced to make changes early on at Manchester United as Robert Sanchez was sent off just minutes into the Premier League clash, and one transfer target could fix their problems long term<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_France-v-Iceland-FIFA-World-Cup-2026-Qualifier.jpg\" alt=\"Mike Maignan of AC Milan\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Mike Maignan was the subject of interest from Chelsea earlier in the summer(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Chelsea&#8217;s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saw red in a major blow for the Blues against Manchester United, and the Blues know they have the chance to reignite their pursuit of AC Milan&#8217;s Mike Maignan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Sanchez was given his marching orders just five minutes into the match at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Manchester United<\/a> after a challenge on Bryan Mbeumo outside the box. Despite a VAR check, the ref&#8217;s decision stood, forcing <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chelsea<\/a> boss <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/enzo-maresca\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Enzo Maresca <\/a>to reshuffle his pack early doors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Blues manager made a double switch, bringing on Filip Jorgensen between the sticks and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/tosin-Adarabioyo\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tosin Adarabioyo <\/a>to bolster the backline, replacing Estevao Willian and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/pedro-neto\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pedro Neto<\/a>. However, United captain <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bruno-fernandes\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bruno Fernandes<\/a> broke the deadlock less than 10 minutes after Sanchez&#8217;s dismissal.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/chelsea-palmer-man-united-injury-35938219\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35938219\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea injury news and return dates after Man Utd loss as Cole Palmer latest revealed<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/robert-sanchez-chelsea-red-card-35937739\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35937739\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Sanchez breaks silence with apology after Chelsea red card vs Man United<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">While the Spanish keeper will only sit out Tuesday&#8217;s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/carabao-cup\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Carabao Cup <\/a>tie against Lincoln City, the incident could serve as the incentive Chelsea need to dip back into the transfer market for a new shot-stopper, following their summer interest in Maignan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Blues first showed interest in June, but Milan were not keen to let go of their French international. They slapped a \u00a325million price tag on the 30-year-old, but Chelsea didn&#8217;t seem in a rush to seal the deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">It was believed that Chelsea were happy with their goalkeeping options in Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, with Maignan&#8217;s contract at San Siro set to expire next year, he&#8217;ll be free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Italy from January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Chelsea could steal a march on their rivals by securing a deal now, allowing them to snap up the player on a free transfer at the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Maresca is said to be a fan of Maignan and reportedly sees him as the perfect fit for his tactical game plan.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Manchester-United-v-Chelsea-Premier-League.jpg\" alt=\"Robert Sanchez of Chelsea\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Robert Sanchez&#8217;s foul on Bryan Mbeumo, which led to his sending off(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Earlier this month, it was reported that the appointment of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Massimiliano-Allegri\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Massimiliano Allegri<\/a> played a pivotal role in persuading Maignan to stay put at Milan over the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The new gaffer quickly confirmed that Maignan would keep the captain&#8217;s armband and highlighted retaining the goalie as a key factor in his decision to take the helm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, there has allegedly been no headway on a new contract to keep Maignan in Italy, giving Chelsea a chance to reignite their chase.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KpLVIG1AXsd0FvfduhjjzO\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. 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