Mike Penders is currently on loan at Strasbourg, but he spent some time with the Chelsea first team during the summer.
Penders linked up with his parent club at the Club World Cup and was a member of the squad that went on to win the competition.
However, the goalkeeper did not play a single minute of football in America and has since joined Strasbourg for the season.
Penders did not impress the French media with his latest display in Strasbourg’s 3-3 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders playing against Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Chelsea players made great impression on Mike Penders
With Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen being Chelsea‘s first-choice and second-choice goalkeepers during the 2024/25 season, Penders did not get an opportunity at this year’s Club World Cup.
However, the 20-year-old still appeared to enjoy his time at the tournament and had some very positive things to say about his teammates.
In a recent interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Penders said: “It was good to tag along and get to know the group. You get a sense of the high level of training during those five weeks. All the guys were pretty friendly, too. How do you approach that? You come in, shake everyone’s hand. I’m the kind of person who immediately starts talking.
“Ultimately, you realise they’re all just great guys. Every dressing room is a bit similar, you know. You have a group of Spanish speakers, a group of English people. You end up playing cards together.”
Once the Belgian returns to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are expecting big things from him.
The feeling at Cobham is that Penders will be Chelsea’s No.1 one day. It means that either Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen is likely to depart west London at some point.
Mike Penders of Chelsea FC poses with the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup final
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Mike Penders should get shot at Chelsea next season
While Penders did not have a great game against PSG as he went on to concede three goals, the former Genk man is still having a bright campaign at Strasbourg.
In seven Ligue 1 appearances, Penders has been able to keep three clean sheets. He also has a save percentage of 70%, which is fairly good.
Mike Penders’ Ligue 1 stats Total
Matches 7
Goals conceded 10
Saves 20
Save percentage 70%
Clean sheets 3
Clean sheet percentage 42.9%
Via FBref
Ultimately, if Penders maintains his form throughout the season, Chelsea should keep the Belgium Under-21 international at the club next term and give him an opportunity.
He can compete with Sanchez to be No.1, while Jorgensen is loaned out or sold. The Denmark international has not looked convincing during this campaign.
Jorgensen really struggled against Lincoln City, for example, a League One side.