Chelsea wonderkid CONFIRMS reason behind transfer decision

Cameron Smith

6 Feb 2025 12:20 GMT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders has confirmed the reason behind his €20 million move to Chelsea.

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Enzo Maresca’s side reached an agreement to sign the Belgian wonderkid in August and he will officially link up with his new team-mates later this year.

Penders was chased by a number of top clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, but he has revealed why he opted to follow the masses of young players to sign for Chelsea.

“I didn't see it coming - Chelsea and PSG are not the smallest clubs,” Penders told Belgian outlet Humo. “There were others who showed interest, but they pushed ahead.

“Only PSG did not want to pay what Genk asked, they could not reach an agreement. Chelsea, on the other hand, came up with a very concrete plan, both sporting and financial.”

Penders started the opening two matches of the season for Genk, but he has only made nine first-team appearances for the club since his move to Chelsea was confirmed.

When asked if he was selected at the start of the campaign to drive up his potential transfer fee, Penders replied: “Chelsea didn't pick me based on those few games in the first team, did they? They had followed me intensively the entire season before at Jong Genk.

“So you see how important the academy is, and why you should also take those competitions seriously.”

© IMAGO - Mike Penders will join Chelsea this summer

Penders is set to face competition from the likes of Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and potentially Djordje Petrovic when he arrives at Stamford Bridge, but the young Belgian isn’t frustrated by Chelsea’s recent flurry of goalkeeper signings.

“At that level you know that you will have to compete with top players anyway,” he said. “It's part of it.”

Mike Penders to join Chelsea

Penders has been frequently compared to former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois since his emergence at Genk and the Belgian is expected to develop into a top goalkeeper over the next decade.

Despite the fact he will join Chelsea this summer, Penders is still only 19 years old and he is set to be loaned out next season in order to gain significant first-team experience.