Revs Rooting For Djordje Petrovic Ahead Of Chelsea Transfer

Carles Gil: "I think he can be one of the best 10 or 15 goalkeepers in the world."

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

New England Revolution players and staff are rooting for Djordje Petrovic as he nears a transfer to Chelsea.

On Tuesday, the 23-year-old goalkeeper was spotted saying goodbye to people at the Revs training center. Petrovic will soon depart for England to complete his medical.

Once completed, Petrovic will join Chelsea for approximately $17.5 million, according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic.

The Revs previously rejected transfer bids from Nottingham Forrest and FC Nantes. Accepting the offer from Chelsea made sense for all parties.

“I don’t know the details of everything, but my assumption is that this was just a really good deal for both Djordje and our organization,” assistant coach Richie Williams explained. “Obviously with Chelsea being one of the best teams in the world, I think these were all factors in determining the sale. Like I said earlier, I think all sides are happy and it’s great for everybody.”

The Revs are currently second in the Eastern Conference and are contenders for the MLS Cup. Losing Petrovic, who leads the league in saves, could make the task ahead more difficult.

But the Revs aren’t thinking that way. The club is reportedly in negotiations with experienced netminder Tomáš Vaclík. They also have two rostered goalkeepers that are ready to step up.

“It’s a team game,” Williams said. “Djordje is a big part of our team but Earl [Edwards Jr.] has played in games for us this year and has done really well and Jacob [Jackson] has been playing with our second team and had a lot of games.

“We have confidence in those players. It’s the same as a field player when we get call-ups or there’s an injury, the next player has to step up and do a good job and help the team. We expect that out of our goalkeepers, and we feel like we can do that and continue to do that and be successful and win games.”

Dave Romney explained that not much changes when a different goalkeeper is in the net. For him, it’s still all about limiting shots.

On a personal level, Romney is happy for Petrovic, who gets to join one of the most storied teams in the English Premier League.

“I mean, 100 percent of me is really excited for him,” Romney said. “You always want that to be you as a kid. To see someone else, such a good guy that happened to, you just couldn’t be happier for him.

“He’s more than enough talented to not just go overseas but play and contribute. I’m honestly so excited to see how he does over there, and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Carles Gil, who played in the EPL with Aston Villa, has long believed in the Serbian goalkeeper. Now Petrovic gets to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

“I said last December, I think, when I had an interview in Spain, I think he can be one of the best 10 or 15 goalkeepers in the world And now he's having the opportunity to show the level,” Gil said.

While Petrovic’s time in New England was brief—he played 43 regular-season games after signing on Apr. 1, 2022—the goalkeeper provided fans with many special moments. He was especially adept at saving penalties.

Petrvoic’s contributions both on and off the field make him an easy guy to root for as he makes the move overseas.

“I think it’s awesome, it’s amazing,” Williams said about Petrovic’s transfer. “Super happy for him, the whole organization is. Great player. He’s been great with us ever since he got here.

”We’re going to miss him but we want to wish him the best of luck. We know he’s going to do great. The New England Revolution will always hold a spot for him. Maybe in the future, he can always come back.

“Djordje is a great guy, great person, and he deserves it and we’re just happy for him.”