Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel says his former club will regret not competing with Man City for the signature of Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer.

The Italian international joined Pep Guardiola‘s side from Paris Saint-Germain for £30m at the start of September, and he has started his Etihad career in excellent form. Mikel does not understand how City were given a free run to sign the goalkeeper:

“Donnarumma for me was, you know, he was out there. He was available in the market. Why we didn’t get him? I have absolutely no idea.”

The 26-year-old has quickly settled into life at his new club, with initial concerns about his kicking ability not having been borne out so far with his performances.

Donnarumma’s stats since moving to the Etihad

The shot-stopper has had a solid start following his switch to City, with his save percentage (77.8%) the second best of any keeper in the entire Premier League – it is only bettered by Sunderland’s Robin Roefs (79.2%). He has also kept four clean sheets in 8 league appearances.

Donnarumma’s post-shot xG conceded compared to goals against is slightly less impressive, with a score of +0.5. That is only the 10th best. Number two, James Trafford’s score (+1.9) is in fact higher, although the 23-year-old has played 5 fewer league games than his teammate.

Man City were his favoured destination

Even if Chelsea had entered the battle for Donnarumma, it is more than likely that he would have ended up at the Etihad Stadium anyway. Speaking shortly after sealing his move to Manchester in September, the Italian said:

“I’m proud to be here and happy about the choice I’ve made, and I hope I will make history here and win as many trophies as possible; that is my goal.”

Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here