In August 2024, Chelsea reached an agreement with KRC Genk for Mike Penders to arrive at Stamford Bridge last summer.

The goalkeeper featured regularly for Genk last season, and they were keen on extending his stay. The Blues refused their request, and Enzo Maresca included the 20-year-old in his squad for the Club World Cup.

Maresca, however, left him out of his plans this season and Chelsea sent Penders on loan to RC Strasbourg in July.

Thursday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg has published an interview with Penders.

HBVL analyst Johan Boskamp believes staying at Genk would have been better. That’s true especially had the player knowj Chelsea would loan him out. The stopper was asked his views on this.

“Would it have been a bad idea to stay at Genk? Maybe not, but the choice has now been made for Strasbourg, and I’m going for it 100%,” he said.

Chelsea teammate firmly within sights

HBVL immediately asked the Belgium U21 international whether he knew what would happen when he had signed for Chelsea. The player brushed that off an said he’s pleased with last summer’s decision.

“You don’t know anything beforehand, of course, but after a while...