Đorđe Petrović’s resurgence has cemented his place as Bournemouth’s number one, leaving Christos Mandas facing an uncertain future. With no clear path to minutes and an obligation-to-buy clause unlikely to trigger, a summer decision looms for both club and player - so will Cherries get to see him?
Last summer, Bournemouth had a clear decision to make in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga returned to Chelsea after his loan spell, leaving a gap for a new Number One, and the Cherries moved to bring in Đorđe Petrović.
Having already established himself in the Premier League during his time with Chelsea, Petrović arrived with both experience and a reputation for handling high-pressure situations.
Behind him, the picture was less certain. With Will Dennis still without a Premier League appearance and likely in need of regular football, Bournemouth looked extremely light on proven depth in goal.
Dislodging Petrovic Proving Difficult
Petrović started well and looked comfortable early on, but there were periods during the first half of the season where Bournemouth were conceding too easily and performances became less convincing.
That thinking shaped Bournemouth’s January window. Fraser Forster arrived after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, having spent around six months without a club, underlining the short-term nature of the move. He signed a six-month deal as an emergency addition following an ankle injury to Dennis, brought in to provide experience, support in training and leadership around the squad. Alongside that, the more notable addition was Christos Mandas from Lazio.
At 23, Mandas arrived with a growing reputation and the expectation that he would push Petrović for the starting role. That opportunity hasn’t materialised. Petrović’s level has improved in recent months and he has re-established himself as the clear first choice. He has started every Premier League game this season and remains one of the busier goalkeepers in the division, with 88 saves, 8 clean sheets and over 130 shots faced. His recent performances have included a number of clean sheets across the past couple of months, reflecting a more settled and consistent level.
In Bournemouth's 2-1 defeat of Arsenal at the weekend, the Serbian shot-stopper was in tip top form again, with several excellent saves - but his performances do not always come without frailties - and with Cherries now 12 games unbeaten, it might take a breaking of the cycle to give Mandas an opportunity.
Indeed, he has been limited to watching from the bench and is still waiting for an opportunity to show what he can do. That chance now looks increasingly unlikely. With Bournemouth no longer involved in any cup competitions, there is no real need for rotation, and without injury or a significant drop in form from Petrović, the door remains closed, locked, and the key out of reach.
An Obligation To Buy
According to reports from LaLazioSiamoNoi, the deal that brought him to Bournemouth includes an obligation to buy, but only if the club qualifies for the Champions League - a clause that always looked fanciful and unlikely. While Bournemouth may have European aspirations, a top-four finish was never a realistic expectation. Lazio have needed to shift players off their books to overcome a transfer embargo and now operate more stringently, meaning they are open to negotiating a lower fee when the clause is not triggered.
Bournemouth now have a decision to make, and so does Mandas. Petrović has done enough to hold onto the starting role. With his form improving in recent months, there is little to suggest that will change any time soon. It is difficult to imagine Mandas accepting another season without a clear pathway to regular football.
Despite Lazio being willing to negotiate for a lower fee, Mandas won’t be short of options. He has already played in Serie A and European competition, and has broken into the Greece national team setup, earning senior caps. At this stage of his career, sitting on the bench is unlikely to appeal, especially when his trajectory before arriving in England had been moving steadily upwards.
As things stand, Bournemouth may be open to a deal, but whether Mandas sees his future there is another question entirely.