Filip Jorgensen wants to leave Chelsea, and it is quite clear who his replacement should be if he departs.
On Wednesday, it emerged that Jorgensen is considering joining another club so that he can get some game time ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Chelsea are reluctant to loan out Jorgensen, meaning that a permanent exit is more likely at some stage.
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When the 23-year-old does leave Stamford Bridge, which now seems inevitable, there is only one goalkeeper the Blues should be thinking about as a replacement.
Chelsea goalkeepers with Club World Cup trophy
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mike Penders should replace Filip Jorgensen
Chelsea have been linked with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Mike Maignan, but if they are looking for a No.2 to succeed Jorgensen, it makes sense to just bring Mike Penders back to the club.
Penders is already on their books so not much work has to be done, he is a top talent and, at 20, he may accept being a deputy goalkeeper at this stage of his career.
The Belgian is currently on loan at Strasbourg and doing well there. This season, he has kept five clean sheets in Ligue 1, helping Liam Rosenior’s side to climb to fourth in the table.
Considering Penders’ potential, you would expect him to succeed Sanchez as Chelsea’s No.1 one day.
For the time being, though, Chelsea could really benefit if they bring him back to cover Sanchez and ultimately replace Jorgensen.
Filip Jorgensen in Chelsea training
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
How Mike Penders and Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez compare
Despite being eight years his junior, Penders already looks capable of competing with Sanchez to be Chelsea’s No.1. Their stats this season are quite similar.
For example, their save percentages are almost identical right now, with Penders’ marginally higher.
Player League games Save percentage Clean sheets Clean sheet percentage
Mike Penders 11 65.9% 5 45.5%
Robert Sanchez 11 65.4% 5 45.5%
Via FBref
A full season at Strasbourg will be good for Penders’ development. Chelsea should be thinking about integrating him into their squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
However, if Jorgensen leaves west London in January, the Club World Cup winners should give serious thought to recalling Penders.