Djordje Petrovic: The Premier League is a 'completely different sport' | OneFootball

Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has claimed the Premier League is a "completely different sport" compared to what he has previously been used to in his career.

Having arrived from New England Revolution in August, Petrovic has been thrown into the action since the start of December due to an injury to usual Chelsea starter Robert Sanchez.

The 24-year-old Serbian was a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat to Everton for an unexpected debut but has since played in Premier League wins over Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Luton Town, as well as a defeat to Wolves and a Carabao Cup victory on penalties against Newcastle.

"It's like a completely different sport," he said of being thrust into the Premier League spotlight. "It is a lot faster and you don't have time to think when you have the ball at your feet.

"It is different, but I enjoy it [in the Premier League] because that is a dream for us…everyone wants to play here and you can improve by playing here."

Petrovic previously replaced Matt Turner, now with Nottingham Forest, as New England's number one in 2022 when the American stopper was signed by Arsenal. Aside from two years in Major League Soccer, his professional experience is limited to a short spell with Serbian side Cukaricki.

Sanchez is not expected back from his knee injury until the end of January, meaning Petrovic will continue in goal for at least the next few weeks. Chelsea host Preston North End in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, following by a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough sandwiched around a west London derby against Fulham in the league.

Sanchez's injury has seen back-up Marcus Bettinelli return to the matchday squad in recent weeks, although the 31-year-old has only made two appearances in the last two seasons and hasn’t played in the Premier League since November 2019 when he was dropped by Fulham.

Chelsea's only other available goalkeeper is untested 21-year-old Lucas Bergstrom, who has never played a first-team game for the Blues and whose only senior experience amounts to 28 games on loan at League One's Peterborough United last season.