Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Paul Harding - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Paul Harding - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Despite signing Emiliano Martinez in the summer and having Mike Penders on their books, Hislop can imagine Chelsea spending £100m on a goalkeeper one day. He has not ruled out Manchester City doing the same either, though a lot would obviously depend on what kind of punishment they receive for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
When asked if Chelsea or City could be the first club to spend £100m on a shot-stopper, Hislop told Goal: “Of course, they’re the only ones who are spending that big money.”
The ex-West Ham United star later went on to add: “You had the likes of David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois breaking into big football clubs while still teenagers. If that goalkeeper pops up today, a goalkeeper of those talents as teenagers, a big club may be willing to top the £100m mark for it. That goalkeeper will then stay there for 10 or 12 years and it will look like money well spent.”
The market went crazy during the summer, but we are probably not at a point where any goalkeeper is worth £100m just yet. Even if one did exist, Chelsea have Penders. No one should overlook that! The young Belgian has so much potential, already drawing comparisons with compatriot Thibaut Courtois.
Standing at 6’7″, Penders has the height to play in the Premier League, a division that is becoming more physical and more about set pieces by each game. Penders is yet to feature in the competition, but he has given Chelsea supporters a taste of what he can do in the Carabao Cup.
Last time out, Chelsea conceded three goals against Leeds United. They were bailed out by Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who put in two masterclasses after coming off the bench, but Penders did his part and deserves some credit despite conceding three times.
As per Sofascore, Penders made three saves, including a stunning one where he tipped the ball over the bar. The 21-year-old also made two high claims, putting his height to good use.
Penders picked up an injury while on international duty, but it was nothing serious and you would now expect him to be named in the matchday squad for Saturday’s game versus Bournemouth.
Arsenal legend David Seaman thinks Martinez was a good signing for Chelsea, and for now, the Argentine will continue as the Blues’ No.1. But Penders has enough potential to succeed him in the future.