Mike Penders' potential arrival would make him Chelsea's second signing of the summer in a department that was already well-stocked
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Chelsea's pursuit of 18-year-old Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders has raised eyebrows about their recruitment policy, with the stopper set to become one of nine goalkeepers at the club.
Just a couple of weeks ago Chelsea added Villarreal stopper Filip Jorgensen to a squad that already contained Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom, Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, Gabiel Slonina and Eddie Beach (who has, to be fair, gone out on loan to Crawley).
That's a lot of players for a position that can only ever have one starter - but reports suggest that Chelsea are, in fact, not entirely daft and intend to trim the ranks considerably over the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
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According to the Daily Express, plans are afoot to trim their goalkeeper numbers down from the eight currently on the training ground to just three.
For starters, Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Penders would be kept on loan at Genk for the season ahead on a one-year loan.
It's been no secret that Kepa is considered dispensable, and Chelsea hope to find an appropriate suitor for his services.
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Kepa Arrizabalaga spent last season out on loan at Real Madrid
With former Brighton number one Sanchez now back fit and available for selection, it is possible that deputy Petrovic could leave. The Express name Fiorentina and Strasbourg as potential destinations, to which we would say: what, even after the Italians sign David De Gea?
They go on that Slonina is being lined up for another loan move having gone straight back to Chicago Fire after signing in 2022 and then spending last season with Belgian club Eupen.
Bergstrom would then be Chelsea's chosen under-21s goalkeeper, leaving Sanchez, Jorgensen and Bettinelli as their three senior goalkeepers in Enzo Maresca's squad.
That strategy seems like it carries some risk to it, but the loan market for goalkeepers is generally strong - and it remains to be seen what kind of fee Chelsea would expect to be paid for the unwanted Kepa.
Still, for a club that has complained about having to meet profit and sustainability regulations...it doesn't feel like the most effective use of their available money, does it?
Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
