With Xabi Alonso coming in as manager, the expectation is for Chelsea to strengthen their roster over the summer. Instead, it looks like a number of players are currently pushing to leave at the moment. Obviously, that will be important for the Blues as well, as they will need to raise funds for a rebuild.
Over the past few weeks, all the talk has been about regular starters like Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro, and a few others trying to leave. But there are more names on the list.
It is important for Chelsea to maintain their squad depth, even if it is not a starter looking to depart. That being said, some departures might not hurt them much.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Filip Jorgensen has asked to leave Chelsea this summer again, as BBC Sport had first reported. The goalkeeper wants to get more game time, as he already requested a move away in January.
Filip Jorgensen leaving Chelsea is the right step
Chelsea might not have sanctioned Jorgensen’s exit in the middle of the season. But they cannot have any reason not to this summer.
The fact of the matter is that Jorgensen is not expected to have a role in the Chelsea team. He has never really looked assured when given a chance.
Of course, every player feels that they deserve more game time. But it is especially difficult for goalkeepers, as there is only one spot in the team.
When Jorgensen did get a chance under Liam Rosenior, he failed to capitalise. On the contrary, he made a mess of things in the game against PSG and that might have been that for his chances to be a Chelsea starter. A move away in the summer might be the best step for all parties involved.
Mike Penders should get the backup role
While Chelsea have been linked with moves for other goalkeepers like Mike Maignan, they might have the solution on their books already.
Mike Penders spent the season out on loan at Strasbourg and was excellent. There are many who feel he is not ready to be a starter yet. But then again, Thibaut Courtois, who he is compared to so often, was starting for Atletico Madrid at his age.
Penders will most probably get a cover role to Robert Sanchez if he does return this summer. But the plan should to promote him to the starting spot a couple of years down the line, if he can prove that he is good enough.
Sourav Mahanty
Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow. Outside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.
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