Chelsea are accelerating their long-term goalkeeping plan, with 20-year-old Mike Penders set to become the club’s first-choice shot-stopper next season.
Chelsea prepare to start Mike Penders ahead of Robert Sanchez next season
The Belgian goalkeeper, currently on loan at Strasbourg, has impressed so dramatically in Ligue 1 that the Blues’ hierarchy now want him back at Stamford Bridge this summer. Chelsea will not send him out on another loan spell.
Manager Liam Rosenior played a key role in this decision. He worked closely with Penders during his time in charge of Strasbourg, and he believes the Belgium Under-21 international can immediately replace Robert Sanchez as his starting goalkeeper.
“Chelsea are bringing back Penders in the summer, and the plan is for him to stay,” transfer insider Graeme Bailey confirmed.
“The expectation is that he will be number one.”
The move follows a season of instability between the posts for Chelsea.
Sanchez has come under heavy criticism after a series of high-profile errors, including a costly mistake in Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
The 28-year-old Spaniard is unlikely to accept a backup role, and sources indicate an exit this summer is now a strong possibility.
Chelsea had previously explored a move for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, but those links have now ended.
“Any links with big-name goalkeepers are a thing of the past,” Bailey added. “Penders is their man.”
The young keeper joined Chelsea from Genk in a 2024 deal that saw him return to the Belgian club on loan before moving to Strasbourg for the 2025/26 campaign.
His rapid development has convinced the club to fast-track his rise to number one at Stamford Bridge.
