In August 2024, Chelsea reached an agreement with KRC Genk for Mike Penders to arrive at Stamford Bridge last summer.
The goalkeeper featured regularly for Genk last season, and they were keen on extending his stay. The Blues refused their request, and Enzo Maresca included the 20-year-old in his squad for the Club World Cup.
Maresca, however, left him out of his plans this season and Chelsea sent Penders on loan to RC Strasbourg in July.
Thursday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg has published an interview with Penders.
HBVL analyst Johan Boskamp believes staying at Genk would have been better. That’s true especially had the player knowj Chelsea would loan him out. The stopper was asked his views on this.
“Would it have been a bad idea to stay at Genk? Maybe not, but the choice has now been made for Strasbourg, and I’m going for it 100%,” he said.
Chelsea teammate firmly within sights
HBVL immediately asked the Belgium U21 international whether he knew what would happen when he had signed for Chelsea. The player brushed that off an said he’s pleased with last summer’s decision.
“You don’t know anything beforehand, of course, but after a while it became clear and I had options to go out on loan. I’m very happy with my choice,” Penders explained.
“For me personally, it’s simply important that I continue to develop, that I get better at things that are important as a modern goalkeeper. Being able to play well with the football is very important these days, for example.
“And of course, you have some truly top matches in Ligue 1. In two weeks, I’ll be playing against PSG, who won the Champions League.
“Those are the matches you do it for. The pressure of that match and playing in a full stadium is important for me, for my development.”
Penders has four clean sheets and has conceded 10 goals from nine matches for the Ligue 1 club.
Meanwhile at Chelsea, Robert Sánchez has been the No.1 this season.
The newspaper explain Sánchez hasn’t been flawless. They then asked Penders whether he thinks of replacing the Spaniard at Stamford Bridge.
“Want to? Always. If I didn’t want to be there, it wouldn’t be right. But it’s too early to think about that. When the time comes, I’ll make the switch, but that’s not an issue right now,” he added.
