Belgian outlet reveals interesting update on Chelsea’s plan for Mike Penders | OneFootball

Mike Penders will not return to Belgian club Genk and Chelsea ideally don’t want to loan him out according to reports.

Penders joined Chelsea last summer for €20m and spent last season at Genk, but has now joined up with the Blues and is part of their Club World Cup squad.

Chelsea are said to have high hopes for Penders, although the 19-year-old has to feature for the Blues in America, and honestly speaking is unlikely to given we are now into the knockout stages.

Chelsea ideally don’t want to loan Penders

Chelsea are scared of making the same mistake with Penders as they did with Thibaut Courtois, and want to avoid a situation where he spends three consecutive seasons on loan.

Penders put in some impressive performances in Belgium and kept six clean sheets in 21 league appearances, whilst it’s vital Chelsea make the right decision for the next stage in his development.

Penders won’t be returning to Belgium next season. (Photo by Virginie Lefour/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

There had been talks of Penders spending another season in Belgium, however, HLN have reported the keeper won’t be returning to Genk.

The report adds Penders has impressed in training, and in principle Chelsea don’t want to let him leave on loan, but would make an exception for sister club Strasbourg.

A loan to Strasbourg makes sense and would be a step up from the Belgian League, plus the Ligue 1 side also have European football in the form of the Conference League.

Djordje Petrovic has shown how beneficial a loan to Strasbourg can be, and the Serb was named their Player of the Season, although it looks like he will be sold this summer.

Emi Martinez a target

Whilst it’s been reported Chelsea are unlikely to sign a new keeper as things stand, that hasn’t stopped the Blues being linked with names.

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Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez is the latest to be linked, and it’s been reported Enzo Maresca has given his approval to the signing, with Manchester United also said to be interested in the World Cup winner.

The Blues were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Mike Maignan earlier this month, and as things stand they aren’t expected to return for the France international this summer.