Chelsea’s Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders has made no secret of his ambition to eventually take Robert Sánchez’s place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, the 20-year-old U21 international, currently on loan at RC Strasbourg, stressed that while his immediate focus is on development, his long-term goal is to be Chelsea’s No.1.
Penders joined the Blues from KRC Genk in the summer of 2024 after a strong season in Belgium, but was swiftly sent on loan to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg this July to gain experience. The move followed Enzo Maresca’s decision not to include him in Chelsea’s senior squad this season, despite Penders being part of the Club World Cup roster earlier in the year.
Learning curve in Ligue 1
The youngster has started brightly in France, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 10 goals in nine league appearances. He insists that playing in front of big crowds and against elite sides such as Paris Saint-Germain is exactly the type of experience he needs at this stage of his career.
“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,” Penders said.
“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.”
Robert Sánchez in focus
Back at Stamford Bridge, Robert Sánchez has been the regular starter under Maresca this season, though Belgian outlet HBVL point out that his form has been far from flawless. When asked whether he has ambitions of eventually replacing the Spaniard, Penders didn’t hesitate.
“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.” — Mike Penders, via HBVL
The comment highlights Penders’ competitive mentality, even as he acknowledges that his pathway back to Chelsea will depend on his continued growth in France.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Penders’ words strike the right balance between ambition and realism:
“Chelsea see Penders as a long-term project, and Strasbourg is the perfect testing ground. His clean sheets so far show promise, but the most important thing is his attitude. By openly admitting he wants Sánchez’s spot, he is signalling the kind of hunger Chelsea value in their young players.”
Key Insights
- Mike Penders joined Chelsea from Genk in 2024, loaned to Strasbourg in 2025.
- He has four clean sheets in nine Ligue 1 matches this season.
- Penders insists playing against elite sides like PSG is vital for his development.
- Robert Sánchez remains Chelsea’s No.1, but his form has been inconsistent.
- Penders: “Want to? Always” when asked if he wants to replace Sánchez.
What’s Next for Penders and Chelsea?
Penders’ immediate task is to continue impressing in France, with Strasbourg battling for mid-table stability in Ligue 1. Consistency across a full season will be the biggest marker of whether he can return to Stamford Bridge as a genuine contender.
For Chelsea, the question is whether Sánchez can cement himself as a reliable long-term solution, or whether Penders — or another signing — will eventually claim the No.1 shirt.
👉 Do you think Mike Penders can develop into Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, or should the Blues continue to look elsewhere for their future No.1?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 9 Oct 2025 09:30
so far a great season, hopefully he can continues like that and be our number 1 GK we've been looking for yearsss.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *