Gianluigi Donnarumma says unpopular player Chelsea sold is actually one of the very best

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has great admiration for one former Chelsea player.

Donnarumma has had the opportunity to play alongside a couple of ex-Chelsea stars while representing the Italy national team.

The 26-year-old, Jorginho and Emerson were all part of the Italy side who beat England in the Euro 2020 final.

However, it is another former Chelsea player Donnarumma has been showing his appreciation for. Jamie Carragher thinks Chelsea should have signed Donnarumma, but City proved to be his destination after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

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Gianluigi Donnarumma ranks Thibaut Courtois above Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer

For Donnarumma, there is no doubt that former Chelsea man Thibaut Courtois is one of the greatest goalkeepers football has ever seen.

The Italian picked Courtois over both Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer, showing just how highly he rates him.

@ballondor

🧤 Who is the best goalkeeper in history? Gianluigi Donnarumma, our 2025 (and 2021) Yachine Trophy winner, takes on the challenge: choosing between legendary keepers until only one remains. Who would be your No.1? 👀 #ballondor #yachinetrophy #donnarumma #sportstiktok #footballtiktok @Gigio

♬ son original – Ballon d’Or

In the end, Courtois’ relationship with Chelsea supporters turned a bit sour, but they would welcome him back to Stamford Bridge tomorrow if they could.

Those who have been in Chelsea’s goal since his departure have not been consistent enough, including current No.1 Robert Sanchez.

Carragher has been very critical of Sanchez, claiming that Enzo Maresca‘s side cannot win the Premier League title with him between the sticks.

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Why Thibaut Courtois left Chelsea

Courtois became a very unpopular man in SW6 following his Stamford Bridge exit, with many Chelsea fans describing their former goalkeeper as a “snake”.

However, Courtois will argue that he had good reason to leave the Blues. He wanted to be closer to his family in Madrid.

Courtois’ agent spoke about his transfer in 2018, saying: “If the family were in London it would have been totally different. He would have stayed, there is no reason to leave a club like Chelsea, he could have won trophies.”

While Edouard Mendy had a very good purple patch in the 2020/21 season, Chelsea have not had a shot-stopper anywhere close to Courtois’ level. It has made his departure even more painful.

Hopefully Sanchez can really raise his game or an elite goalkeeper, such as AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, is brought in next summer.

from Chelsea FC Latest News & Club Updates | The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/YZVKfiE