11 Jun 2026 14:06 BST |
4 min read
Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders has admitted that “anything is possible” amid rumours that he could be sent out on loan again next season.
The Belgium international was included in Rudi Garcia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup following an eye-catching campaign at Strasbourg and he is set to return to Chelsea for pre-season under new boss Xabi Alonso.
Penders made 52 appearances across all competitions last season, keeping 12 clean sheets, and earlier this year he was described as “an outstanding operator in possession” by ex-Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who coached him during the first half of the campaign at Strasbourg.
It remains to be seen if the 20-year-old will be sent on another loan spell next year or if he will be given a chance at Chelsea, and Penders has confirmed that a final decision over his future this summer hasn’t been confirmed.
“I am starting pre-season at Chelsea and will try to prove myself in training. Hopefully, I stay injury-free and can prove myself,,” he told Voetbalkrant when asked if 2026-27 will be his breakthrough season with the Blues or if he will go on loan again.
“Anything is possible, but I am starting at Chelsea and will do my utmost to achieve my goal. Am I ready for it? Absolutely, but first I want to focus entirely on this World Cup. After that, we’ll see.”
Analysis: Should Chelsea keep Mike Penders next season?
With Filip Jorgensen set to be sold on a permanent deal this summer, Chelsea will either need to sign a new back-up goalkeeper, if Penders is sent on loan, or give the Belgian youngster the chance to fight with Robert Sanchez for the number one spot.
His loan spell at Strasbourg was hugely encouraging, but he is far from the finished article and at just 20 years old, there’s a reasonable argument to be made that he would benefit far more from another season in Ligue 1 rather than spending a year on the sidelines at Stamford Bridge.
However, if Alonso is impressed by his performances in pre-season and is willing to trust him with significant game time at Chelsea next campaign, Penders could be a hugely useful asset for the Stamford Bridge outfit, especially considering Sanchez’s indifferent form since his arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.
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