Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen wants to emulate role model Petr Cech after joining the club’s US tour following his £20.7 million move from Villarreal.
Cech won 13 major trophies at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2015, a period in which Jorgensen spent a combined seven years with Swedish side Malmo, as well as spells at Spanish clubs.
“I watched a lot of Petr Cech growing up, so Chelsea were one of my favourite teams to follow,” the 22-year-old told the Blues’ website.
“This move is a dream come true. It was very important for me to come [to Chelsea’s pre-season base in Atlanta] as quickly as possible and get involved as early as I could to be prepared for the new season, to learn how the manager wants to play and to get to know everyone.”
Jorgensen is Chelsea. 🔵🙌 pic.twitter.com/CyPjEkOhrN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 30, 2024
Chelsea goalkeepers: Sanchez ‘very good’
“Robert Sanchez has been with the national team of Spain, where I live, and I followed him a bit when he was at Brighton and now Chelsea,” said Jorgensen.
“I know he is a very good goalkeeper and I hope we can learn from each other and produce the best versions of ourselves together.”
Djordje Petrovic was Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper at the end of 2023/24 but Sanchez has started in pre-season because the Serbia international is injured.
Born near Malmo to a Danish father and Swedish mother, Jorgensen joined Villarreal’s academy in 2017 and made his debut in December 2021.
Filip Jorgensen, our new Blue! 💙🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/QBrqBmfdnK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 30, 2024
The Yellow Submarine gave Jorgensen his Liga debut in January 2023, and only Manchester United’s Andre Onana made more saves than him across Europe’s five major top divisions in 2023/24.
“I am very happy with how the last 12 months have panned out,” he said. “I am very confident in myself and I know what qualities I have.
“Luckily, I had the chance to show myself on the biggest stage in Spain. Now I am very happy to have the chance to do that at one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
📥 (1) new message from our new signing! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kWsgqrOQlt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 30, 2024
Chelsea fixtures, schedule
Chelsea are yet to win in the US, drawing 2-2 with third-tier Wrexham before losing 4-1 to Celtic.
They play Mexican side Club America in Georgia on Thursday (12.30am BST), Manchester City in Ohio on Saturday (10.30pm) and Real Madrid in Charlotte on August 7 (12am) before returning to England for a home friendly against Inter Milan four days later (3pm).
Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match in charge will be at home to the reigning Premier League champions on August 18 (4.30pm).
