FOOTBALL
Posted on June 13, 2026 4:00 pm | Updated on June 13, 2026 1:01 pm Penders wants Chelsea’s number one shirt ahead of pre-season.
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Mike Penders is heading into the World Cup with a point to prove and a starting spot at Stamford Bridge in his sights. The latest Chelsea news confirms he will report for pre-season ready to push Robert Sanchez all the way for the number one shirt.
Mike Penders’ Strasbourg spell makes Alonso’s decision harder
As reported by Football.london, the 20-year-old shot-stopper had a standout season on loan at Strasbourg, starting all but one game in Ligue 1 and keeping eight clean sheets along the way. Xabi Alonso will be watching closely when Penders takes the field this summer. The Belgian was signed from Genk for £17m back in August 2024 and still has six years remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge.
His performances in the UEFA Conference League also stood out, and the quarter-final second leg against Chelsea’s fellow BlueCo club told you everything about his nerve. Strasbourg were under serious pressure in that tie, and Penders kept them in it with a string of sharp, well-positioned stops that showed a goalkeeper who does not shrink in big moments. Penders is composed under pressure, reads the game well, and is confident with the ball at his feet. These are traits that matter deeply in Alonso’s system, where goalkeepers are expected to act as an extra passing option rather than just a last line of defence.
At Strasbourg, he showed exactly that. Playing under a possession-based side in Ligue 1, Penders regularly distributed quickly and accurately under pressure, helping his team play out from the back rather than just clearing their lines. It is precisely the kind of goalkeeper Alonso wants, and Penders spent an entire season proving he can be one in top-level football.
Mike Penders’ Season 2025/26 stats, as per FotMob:
Competition Appearances Goals Conceded Clean Sheets
Ligue 1 33 47 8
Coupe de France 5 5 1
Conference League 12 11 2
World Cup call-up fuels Penders’ ambitions
As reported by ESPN, Rudi Garcia handed Penders a place in Belgium’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and the 20-year-old admitted the call-up caught him completely off guard. Speaking to Dutch outlet Voetbalkrant, he said: “Did I know beforehand? No, not at all. When the national coach called out my name, I did cheer for a moment. My family at home was also incredibly happy.” Penders also recognised just how tight the competition was for that squad place.
As reported by Goal, Belgium kick off their World Cup campaign against Egypt at Seattle Stadium on Monday night. For Penders, every clean sheet and every sharp reflex save will count for more than just three points. A strong tournament could hand him the clearest possible argument for starting between the sticks at The Blues next season.
Pre-season start at Chelsea confirmed
Penders was straightforward when asked about his plans for next season. As reported by Sport Witness,“I am starting pre-season at Chelsea and will try to prove myself in training,” he said. “Am I ready for it? Definitely, but first I want to focus entirely on this World Cup. After that, we’ll see.” There is no agenda in those words, no politics.
Robert Sanchez remains the current number one, but that status looks far less certain heading into pre-season. Penders arrives back at Chelsea with real momentum behind him, and Alonso will have a genuine decision to make once training gets underway. As per the latest Chelsea news, two goalkeepers will be pushing hard for the same shirt, and neither can afford a slow start in the Premier League. It is exactly the environment Alonso will want to foster at Stamford Bridge.
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Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape. Through her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.
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