Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders says he’s adjusting to his new life in London while he’s yet to enjoy regular game time with the Premier League side.
In August 2024, the Blues agreed a deal with KRC Genk for him to arrive in the summer of 2025.
Chelsea included him in their Club World Cup squad in June 2025 and sent him on loan to RC Strasbourg a month later. The temporary move helped him enjoy regular minutes in the top five European league for the first time.
He kept 12 clean sheets and conceded 65 goals from 52 matches. The Ligue 1 side made it to the UEFA Conference League semi-final, which they lost to Rayo Vallecano. In the summer, he returned to the west London club, who appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
Tough start at Chelsea
Towards the end of the last window, Chelsea signed Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa and let Robert Sánchez join Como on loan.
The Argentina international has been the new No.1, forcing Mike Penders to settle for a backup role. The Belgium made two starts in the EFL Cup, where he kept a clean sheet and conceded three goals.
Penders’ tough start with the Blues didn’t stop him from receiving a call-up from Belgium manager Mark van Bommel.
On Tuesday, the stopper was in his hometown, Maasmechelen, to open Red Court. It’s the national team’s initiative to build/renovate mini-football pitches across the country as part of community projects.
Decision up to Alonso
Wednesday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg covers it and took advantage of the event to speak to Mike Penders and his family.
“How impatient am I, you ask? Every professional footballer wants to play, and so do I,” he said.
“So, I have to show in training that I am worthy; I can’t do more than that. Then it is up to the coach to make the final decision.”
In June, the goalkeeper said he was open to either staying at Chelsea or joining another club, most likely on loan. His decision to stay hasn’t worked out well so far.
Meanwhile, the stopper admits he’s settling in well in the English capital.
“In the meantime, I have settled in London. It feels good to have my own place there; the adjustment has gone smoothly,” Mike Penders explained.
The Chelsea man also has the support of his father, Peter, and mother, Cindy. They are present for every match and take a ferry for their trip to England.
“The boat is convenient at the moment because my parents can go by car and bring my things for the new home,” he added.
