the Chelsea News
·12 July 2025
“Chelsea are” – Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea’s feelings on Mike Penders

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Yahoo sportsthe Chelsea News
·12 July 2025
Chelsea are convinced Mike Penders is “special” and will be an important goalkeeper for them according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues signed Penders last summer from Belgian side Genk for a fee of €20m, with the 19-year-old remaining in Belgium last season.
Penders is currently part of the Chelsea squad at the Club World Cup, although he’s yet to make an appearance at the competition.
Chelsea are said to have high hopes for Penders, but face an important decision on what the next step for his development should be.
The Blues are reportedly scared of Penders spending three consecutive seasons on loan like Thibaut Courtois did.
Penders is set to join Strasbourg on loan this season. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
It appears Chelsea view the Belgian as their long term number one, but the youngster clearly isn’t ready for that at this stage.
The logical decision would be a loan to Strasbourg, and it’s been reported Penders is close to sealing a loan switch to the Ligue 1 outfit.
The move would give him experience in a top five league, as well as European football and Romano has now shared how Chelsea feel about the goalkeeper.
“Chelsea are convinced that Mike Penders is special,” he told his YouTube channel.
“They feel he is going to be an important goalkeeper for Chelsea in the future.”
Whilst Penders is set to make the next step in his development, the Blues have now sold Djordje Petrovic for £25m.
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Petrovic is set to join Bournemouth, and there will no doubt be disappointment amongst supporters he wasn’t given the opportunity to be number one after excelling at Strasbourg.
As things stand Robert Sanchez is set to be number one once again, with Chelsea taking the decision not to sign Mike Maignan, but it remains to be seen if the Blues decide to move for another keeper.