The current situation at Chelsea should be alarming for the club management. Their transfer policy since the BlueCo takeover has failed to produce desired results as of yet. Adding to that, the Blues have now had eight managers, including the interim ones, over the last four seasons.
The Blues are yet to find a solution for their managerial problems as they let go of Liam Rosenior after just three months. Following a string of bad results, the club could no longer trust the English manager for the FA Cup semifinal tie against Leeds United, which they won 1-0 under interim boss Calum McFarlane.
There needs to be a recognition that this team needs experience and proven quality. As a result, they might be having second thoughts about some of their roster.
One key area Chelsea will need to address with urgency is their goalkeeping options. Both of their first-team goalkeepers, Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, have looked shaky during crucial games this season. The Blues should be looking at options already, as they have been linked with keepers like James Trafford and Robin Roefs over the past few weeks. But as of now, there hasn’t been any news of advancement in transfer talks.
What do Chelsea think of Mike Penders as a starter next season?
Apparently, Chelsea might just have an option on their own books in the form of Mike Penders. His loan spell at RC Strasbourg is all set to culminate at the end of this campaign.
Penders has been a regular starter at the Ligue 1 side, who are currently placed eighth in the league table. They will also face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League semi-final tie.
The 20-year-old’s form could be a reason for the Blues to bring him back for next season as the starting goalkeeper. But according to a recent report from Mail Online (via The Chelsea Chronicle), there are internal doubts about the option to promote Penders to be the club’s number one next season. Another loan away is on the table.
Is Penders ready to be a starter for the Blues?
The Belgian goalkeeper was brought into the club from KRC Genk for a transfer fee of around £17 million. He signed a contract till 2032. Clearly, Penders is viewed as a long-term player, not someone who was brought in to make an immediate impact.
Back in his homeland, Penders is touted by many as the ‘next Thibaut Courtois’. Of course, Chelsea will know him well, as he won two Premier League titles with the Blues.
As it stands, there is reason for Chelsea to expect a bright future ahead for Penders at the club. But they should not hurry the gradual process of inducting the goalkeeper into their starting XI. The pressure is going to be very high next season. So, it might be a job for someone with more experience. That being said, if they end up signing a young goalie like Trafford or Roefs, it could unsettle the Belgian youngster.
