Chelsea fans could be treated to an early glimpse of future No.1 Mike Penders, as the club prepares to bring the young Belgian shot-stopper into the squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in June.

According to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, the Blues are set to include the highly-rated 19-year-old in their travelling team for the tournament as they assess whether he’s ready to make the jump to Premier League football.

Chelsea secured the services of Penders last summer on a long-term eight-year deal, but immediately loaned him back to KRC Genk. The teenager quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, putting in a string of mature and commanding performances in the Belgian Pro League.

His rise has not gone unnoticed in West London.
Genk are reportedly eager to retain Penders for another season, especially given his consistent displays between the sticks. However, Chelsea now want to take a closer look at their young talent during the Club World Cup, which serves as a valuable opportunity for evaluation in a competitive environment.

The tournament appearance could be pivotal in determining Penders’ short-term future. Options on the table include integrating him into the Chelsea first-team squad for the 2025/26 campaign, sending him on loan to Strasbourg – another club under the BlueCo umbrella – or allowing him to continue his development with another season at Genk.

With Robert Sánchez and Filip Jørgensen already competing for the No.1 shirt at Stamford Bridge, the summer could mark the beginning of a generational shift in Chelsea’s goalkeeping department. If Penders impresses on the global stage, the decision to keep him in-house might become much easier for Enzo Maresca and the Chelsea hierarchy.
One thing is clear: Chelsea see Penders as a key part of their long-term future, and the Club World Cup might just be the start of something special.