Chelsea have shifted their goalkeeping strategy following the agreement with Xabi Alonso to become their new head coach, according to TEAMtalk. Plans for Mike Penders to become the club’s number one next season are no longer progressing as expected.
The 20-year-old Penders, currently with Strasbourg, had been internally backed under the previous leadership to compete for the starting role, with concerns existing over the consistency of current keeper Robert Sanchez. However, Alonso’s arrival has prompted a wider reassessment of several positions, with a more experienced goalkeeper now a priority.
Alonso’s thinking is reportedly influenced by his successful time at Bayer Leverkusen, where experienced captain Lukas Hradecky provided leadership on and off the pitch. Chelsea previously attempted to sign AC Milan’s Mike Maignan last summer and again earlier this year before the Frenchman signed a new contract with the Italian club, but he has re-emerged as a serious option.
Alongside Maignan, Chelsea’s recruitment staff have also been evaluating Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen and Sunderland’s Robin Roefs, though concerns remain over whether either possesses the elite experience Alonso desires. The club also maintain a long-standing interest in Everton’s Jordan Pickford, valuing his Premier League pedigree and international experience, but prising him away from Goodison Park is expected to be difficult, with Pickford also content at Everton.
Other potential targets include Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi and Porto’s Diogo Costa, but Maignan is currently considered the standout option due to his experience and leadership qualities. Despite the change in immediate plans, Chelsea still view Penders as a promising young talent with a long-term future at the club, drawing comparisons to Thibaut Courtois’ development path. Even former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes Penders is ready for the role, stating he could deputize Sanchez for a season before taking over.
