“I want to leave Chelsea next season” – Chelsea player hints at Chelsea exit as he wants more playing time
Goalkeepers Filip Jørgensen and Mike Penders were both signed by Chelsea in the last summer window.
Jørgensen arrived at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal and was included in Enzo Maresca’s plans this season. The Blues took Penders from KRC Genk and immediately sent him back on loan until the end of this season.
The 19-year-old made his first team debut at the start of the season and played 14 games for Genk, keeping six clean sheets and conceding 11 goals in the process.
Penders has to return to Chelsea in the summer and isn’t aware where he will play next season. The stopper revealed this when TVL Sportcafé asked about his future beyond this season and Voetbal Nieuws relay his comments.
“I’m not thinking about it too much yet. I’m giving everything for Genk this season,” he said.
“Whether it’s another year in Genk, elsewhere or already at Chelsea, we’ll see. I obviously want to play next season, that’s the most important thing for me.”
As well as the Belgium U21 international, Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga will return to the west London club from Bournemouth.
Maresca currently has Robert Sánchez, Jørgensen and Marcus Bettinelli at his disposal. He and the Blues will have to make decision on Penders and a few others in the summer window.
The Chelsea man claims he’ll be happy to represent Belgium’s senior team but remains focused on the U21s.
“I try to play everywhere: at Genk and at De Rode Duivels. If the time comes, I would be very happy there. I haven’t heard anything from that direction yet,” Penders explained.