Chelsea are quietly thrilled with how their young goalkeeper Mike Penders, on loan in France is developing.
Mike Penders making waves in Ligue 1
Mike Penders may only be 20, but his performances in France have already turned heads back at Stamford Bridge. He was signed from Genk for €20m. The Belgian was eased into Chelsea life last season before being sent to Strasbourg to get minutes under his belt.
The decision looks smart. Penders has featured six times across all competitions. That includes four Ligue 1 outings, and has already chalked up three clean sheets. Strasbourg have flown out of the blocks, sitting joint top of the table. Penders has been a calm presence between the posts earning plenty of plaudits.
His rapid reflexes and the ability to control his area has impressed everyone. Chelsea believe this loan is the ideal crash course in European football at the top level.
The broader context at Chelsea
Chelsea’s current goalkeeping department is not exactly looking to be built upon for the long-term. Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have struggled for consistency, leaving the door open for a new face to step in.
The club did consider Mike Maignan in the summer, but Milan’s price tag put them off. That’s where Penders comes into play. If he keeps this form up, Chelsea might decide to throw him into the deep end sooner than expected.
But, goalkeepers usually need years to mature. So, making him number one next season could be a huge risk. The Blues must weigh their need for reliability now against their belief in Penders as a future star. For now, Strasbourg offers the best environment for him to grow. Chelsea will be hoping their patience pays off.
Author’s Opinion:
Penders looks the real deal, but Chelsea can’t rush him into the spotlight. He needs time, games, and a steady rise. If managed right, he could be the answer to their goalkeeping puzzle for the next decade.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
