Djordje Petrovic, the hero of our Carabao Cup quarter-final penalty shootout victory, speaks exclusively to the programme for our semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough.

The Serbian has been in fine form between the sticks since stepping in for the injured Robert Sanchez and told us how working with former Chelsea cult hero Kevin Hitchcock during his time with New England Revolution helped him to progress as a goalkeeper.

'We have a very good relationship,' Petrovic says. 'He came to Stamford Bridge because MLS is in off-season, so he was here and watched a couple of games with the family. We have a kind of relationship like a family, you know? We chat a couple of times every week.

'Actually, he sent me a photo because he also saved a penalty against Newcastle in the cup for Chelsea. It was the same thing, so it was amazing.'


Petrovic tells his full back story in a wide-ranging interview, and explains how he looked up to other Serbians at Stamford Bridge as a youngster.

'It’s one of the best clubs in the world,” he says. 'I remember when Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Matic played here, and in Serbian culture there is that word: "Chelsea".

'It is a dream for everyone who starts playing football in Serbia, or around the world – everyone wants to come and play for Chelsea. So, when I got an offer from Chelsea, I realised a dream.'

With Middlesbrough on the other side on a big cup occasion, it’s a real throwback to the 1990s, and we give the floor to the Blues heroes who have scored in cup finals against Boro in the past, as Roberto Di Matteo, Eddie Newton, Frank Sinclair and Tony Dorigo relive their Wembley moments.


We also hear from the stars of our first-ever League Cup triumph in our “Voices of ’65” long read, including Terry Venables and goalscoring hero Eddie McCreadie.

With all this, plus the latest from Mauricio Pochettino, Reece James, Emma Hayes and Academy coaches, Mark Robinson and Hassan Sulaiman, there is plenty to get stuck into.

Be sure to pick up your copy from the programme sellers around the stadium or from the online shop of our publications partner, Reach Sport.

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