Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is open to a January exit as he seeks minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, GMS understands. The Denmark international joined from Villarreal in summer 2024 for £21m and has made 28 appearances for the Blues, but only four have come this season.
Robert Sanchez is currently Enzo Maresca's number one and has been used in both the Premier League and Champions League. The Spanish shotstopper has held down his place following a strong end to last season. It has left Jorgensen seeking minutes knowing should Denmark qualify for the 2026 World Cup he stands a chance of being named Brian Riemer's number one.
Denmark must qualify via a UEFA playoff after a dramatic 4-2 loss to Scotland on Tuesday. Kasper Schmeichel started that game, but the former Leicester City keeper has come under scrutiny following the defeat at Hamden Park and a 2-2 draw with Belarus before it. West Ham's Mads Hermansen is another option but is currently behind Alphonse Areola in the pecking order at the London Stadium and in a similar position to Jorgensen in many ways.
No offers
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Chelsea would ideally prefer to keep Jorgensen knowing it may be tough to find a replacement mid-season. The belief within the club is that the 23-year-old will get opportunities over the festive period and during the second half of the season, especially as Chelsea strive to challenge on four fronts.
As a result, Chelsea currently have no plans to loan Jorgensen. Permanent offers are also not being encouraged, but it remains to be seen whether they might be considered if they exceed the fee paid. Chelsea still believe Jorgensen can become one of Europe's top keepers, so prizing him away from Stamford Bridge would require a significant fee.
Should Jorgensen exit, Chelsea have the option of recalling Mike Penders from his loan spell at Strasbourg, but the belief within the club is the 20-year-old Belgian is gaining vital experience playing every week for the Ligue 1 side, including in the Europa Conference League. Penders is seen as an exceptional prospect, and one who can become Premier League ready quite quickly. But the plan has always been for Penders to see out a full season with Strasbourg in the same way Andrey Santos did, before returning to challenge for first-team minutes at Chelsea.
Jorgensen will now assess all options with any proposed move will be driven by the player rather than the club. Chelsea could yet insist on their current number simply two stays because they won't leave themselves short of keeper options in what is set to be a 65+ game season dating back to the Club World Cup over the summer.