Report: Chelsea coach pushing behind the scenes for new number one, Robert Sanchez snubbed | OneFootball

Mike Penders is emerging as the early front-runner to be the Chelsea number one next season according to reports.

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The Blues signed Penders from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2024 for €20m, and the youngster was part of the squad at the Club World Cup. although he didn’t play.

Chelsea are said to believe Penders is special, and the decision was taken to send the 20-year-old on loan to Strasbourg this season.

Mike Penders front-runner to be Chelsea number one next season

Penders has put together a series of impressive performances in France, and worked under Liam Rosenior for the first half of the season.

The Belgian has kept nine clean sheets in 35 appearances, with Strasbourg currently sat eighth in Ligue 1, and in the knockout phases of the Conference League.

Chelsea certainly have high hopes for Penders, and TEAMtalk have reported he’s the frontrunner to be the club’s number one next season.

The report states the decision makers at Chelsea have already spoken to Rosenior about making Penders first choice next season, with the feedback very positive.

TEAMtalk add Chelsea’s Head of Global Goalkeeping Ben Roberts is also advocating for Penders to be number one season.

Liam Rosenior makes big goalkeeping decision

Whilst Penders could be between the sticks next season, Rosenior made a big decision on Wednesday night against Aston Villa.

The 41-year-old dropped Robert Sanchez, and handed Filip Jorgensen a rare start, in a move which took people by surprise.

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Rosenior insisted he doesn’t have a number one, and it was a gut feeling in training to play Jorgensen at Villa Park.

The two are set to battle it out for the remainder of the season, and it’ll be interesting to see who starts in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wrexham.

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