On Monday, Mike Penders confirmed he will be part of Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup in June. The goalkeeper also insisted there should be more clarity on his future with the Blues after the tournament in America.
Chelsea completed his signing from KRC Genk in August and let him continue this season at the Belgian club. The 19-year-old has played his last game of this season and isn’t sure if that was his final tie for Genk.
Genk technical director Dimitri De Condé has been speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, who asked him about the Chelsea man.
The newspaper states the stopper’s situation is the ‘most difficult’ one since the Belgian club are completely dependent on Chelsea.
De Condé insists both the Premier League club and the Belgium U21 international believe it’s best for him to continue at Genk.
“We will indeed have to be patient there. Of course, we have already spoken extensively with Chelsea and Mike. Both parties are convinced that an extra season, with European football, would not be a bad option for Penders. But we are not the only candidate, and they still have to put the puzzle together,” he said.
The Belgian club’s official doesn’t want to be left unprepared if a new deal can’t be agreed with Chelsea for Penders.
“In the meantime, we have to do our homework in case a new loan doesn’t work out. Because then someone will be added to compete with Hendrik Van Crombrugge for a starting place, while third goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans (16) can grow at Jong Genk,” De Condé explained.
Penders kept eight clean sheets and conceded 23 goals from 26 games this season.
