Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea are all set give Mike Penders an extended run in the first-team starting next season.
Despite having Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen in their ranks, Chelsea are not entirely convinced about either of them being their long-term first-choice option in goal. The Blues were keen on signing Mike Maignan from AC Milan as a medium-term solution, but things have not gone according to plan.
As a result, the door seems to be opening up for Mike Penders to establish himself as a mainstay at Chelsea. According to a report from TEAMtalk, the London club are considering handing the 20-year-old Belgian shot-stopper an integral role in the team next season.
While they want Sanchez to continue at the club for now, Penders is expected to directly compete with him for a place in the starting XI. The young goalkeeper came up the ranks at Genk and made a name for himself with their first team before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2024.
He stayed back at the Belgian club on loan for a season. Following his move to Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca was certain that he would play a part. As a result, the BlueCo ended up sending him out on loan to their French club, RC Strasbourg.
The 20-year-old has been doing wonders for the French club. He has been involved in 29 matches and has kept a clean sheet on nine occasions. On the back of his consistent performances, Penders could actually push for an important role at Chelsea.
Penders to have a prominent role at Stamford Bridge
The Blues are looking to bolster the goalkeeping position going forward. They wanted to bring in Mike Maignan on a free transfer ahead of next season. But with the French international signing a new deal until 2031, the London club have been forced to look elsewhere.
While they continue to look for a potential goalkeeper who would be available next summer, Maignan’s decision could lead to Penders having a more prominent role in their team after he returns from his loan spell. The 6ft 7in stopper is doing wonders for Strasbourg, and the Blues are quite optimistic about him reaching great heights.
While Sanchez remains their first choice, he hasn’t been consistent enough. He made a number of high-profile moves quite early in the season. He has been more consistent of late, but there are still doubts about him being their go-to man in goal for the future.