Chelsea youngster Mike Penders has been eliminated from the World Cup without playing a single game, however fans believe he should have been called upon during Belgium’s quarter-final defeat.
Penders earned a call-up to the national team after a very strong season at Strasbourg, which has put him in the frame to step up to the Chelsea first team squad next season.
Opportunities always looked tough to come by with former Blue Thibaut Courtois in the squad, however a chance arose when he was forced off injured in Belgium’s quarter-final against Spain.
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Fan debate after Chelsea’s Mike Penders snubbed for Senne Lammens in Belgium’s World Cup defeat
Instead of Penders, Senne Lammens was substituted on, and just minutes later made a fatal error that saw the Red Devils knocked out of the competition.
Belgium fans took to social media after the game to discuss whether the right decision was made in relation to the substitute goalkeeper, with many believing the Chelsea man should have been brought on instead.
One user said: “Doesn’t Penders seem like a better goalkeeper than him? What’s the reason Lammens is the second goalkeeper? What I saw of Penders makes him seem like a goalkeeper of the highest level.”
Another added: “Belgium might’ve called up the wrong young keeper… Watching that error, it’s hard to believe Mike Penders couldn’t have offered more than this.”
A third stated: “Mike Penders is a much better goalkeeper than Lammens.”
Finally, one user said: “Fortunately the Spaniard Rudy Garcia deliberately put the worst keeper to replace Courtois when he had the chance to put in Penders the GOAT.”
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Before the tournament, Lammens described Penders as a ‘very good’ goalkeeper, although it was the Manchester United man who got the call when his nation needed him.
He was unable to live up to the standards required though, and will only serve as inspiration for the Blues youngster to make a strong impression next season under Xabi Alonso.
With Filip Jorgensen requesting to leave, the Belgian will be competing with Robert Sanchez for a place in the side next season, and his ability on the ball will put him in good stead for how Alonso wants to play.
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