🔥SHOCKING NEWS: Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has requested to withdraw from Chelsea’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Petrovic sent a private letter to chairman Todd Boehly, but the frank response from coach Enzo Maresca left Petrovic speechless.🚨

Djordje Petrovic Shocks Football World by Requesting Withdrawal from Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup Squad

In a highly unexpected and dramatic development, Chelsea Football Club’s talented goalkeeper, Djordje Petrovic, has reportedly made the surprising decision to request his withdrawal from the team’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. This move has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, leaving many fans, analysts, and insiders stunned. The 25-year-old Serbian goalkeeper, who impressed many during his loan spell with French side RC Strasbourg in the 2024/2025 season, personally delivered a private letter to Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly. In the letter, Petrovic explained that his request stemmed from a desire to focus on his long-term career goals. However, the response he received from Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, was unexpectedly blunt, leaving Petrovic speechless and further intensifying rumors and uncertainty surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge.

Petrovic’s Courageous Decision and Motivations

Petrovic had a very successful loan stint at Strasbourg, where he made 31 appearances and played a key role in helping the club secure qualification for European competition. As a result, many anticipated that he would return to Chelsea and compete for the starting goalkeeper position during the Club World Cup, which is scheduled to kick off on June 14, 2025, with Chelsea’s first match against LAFC. However, Petrovic has chosen to take a different path. He formally requested to be left out of Chelsea’s 28-man squad for the tournament, as he wants to prioritize his personal career trajectory.

One of the key factors behind his decision is Chelsea’s inability to provide any firm assurances that he would be given the starting role over his competitors, Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen. According to inside sources, Petrovic’s letter to Boehly emphasized his urgent need for consistent first-team football in order to continue his development. Interest from several other clubs, including AS Monaco and a possible return to Strasbourg, has also influenced his thinking, as these clubs may offer him the starting role he is seeking.

Enzo Maresca’s Straightforward but Harsh Response

Known for his straightforward and unfiltered communication style, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca responded to Petrovic’s request in a very candid manner. According to reports, Maresca told the Serbian goalkeeper, “We’re building a team for the future, and you need to decide where you fit.” This blunt statement caught Petrovic off guard, as he had hoped to be given a fair opportunity to compete for the first-choice goalkeeper position.

Maresca’s decision to exclude Petrovic—and most other loanees—from the Club World Cup squad, with the exception of Andrey Santos, appears to be part of his broader approach of maintaining consistency by continuing to work primarily with the players who were part of Chelsea’s squad during the 2024/25 season. As a result, other younger players such as Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr were included, while Petrovic was left out.

This controversial decision has ignited a wave of frustration among Chelsea supporters. On social media platform X, many fans expressed their outrage, with one passionate fan posting, “Maresca’s lost the plot leaving Petrovic out!”

Growing Fan Outrage and Uncertainty About Petrovic’s Future

The omission of Petrovic from the Club World Cup squad has sparked intense backlash from Chelsea’s fanbase. Many supporters believe that Petrovic is a much better and more reliable option than Robert Sanchez, who struggled with inconsistent performances during the 2024/25 campaign and cost Chelsea valuable points in the league. One frustrated fan even tweeted, “If Maresca doesn’t rate Petrovic, he should be sacked.”

Adding to the situation, Chelsea had recently failed in their pursuit of signing Mike Maignan from AC Milan, a move that would have strengthened their goalkeeping department. With Maignan out of reach, Chelsea’s current goalkeeping options are limited to Sanchez, Jorgensen, and young prospect Mike Penders. This limited depth has only fueled fan concerns and cast more doubt on the club’s goalkeeping strategy.

At this point, Petrovic’s future with Chelsea appears highly uncertain. Several clubs, including Galatasaray and West Ham, are reportedly monitoring his situation closely and may attempt to sign him on a permanent transfer if Chelsea decide to part ways with him.

What Lies Ahead for Djordje Petrovic?

As Chelsea prepares to embark on their FIFA Club World Cup journey, where they will face opponents such as Flamengo and ES Tunis following their opening match against LAFC, manager Maresca remains focused on adding more silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet after winning the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League.

Meanwhile, Petrovic appears to be exploring other opportunities that could offer him a guaranteed starting position. His impressive performances in Ligue 1 have made him an attractive target for multiple clubs. However, his exclusion from the Club World Cup squad has raised serious questions about Chelsea’s approach to handling its talented young players and how it intends to build a competitive, balanced squad moving forward.