Chelsea told their £17m signing is ‘really special’

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Estevao Willian is the young Chelsea signing that everyone is talking about, which is hardly a surprise.

Already a Brazil international at the age of just 17, Estevao Willian is one of the most exciting talents in the world right now. However, he is not the only promising youngster Chelsea have recruited.

The Blues have also bought Kendry Paez and Mike Penders, with both players set to officially move to Stamford Bridge in 2025.

Penders has already been compared to Thibaut Courtois, his compatriot who used to play for Chelsea.

• READ MORE: Who is Mike Penders? Chelsea’s £17m new signing who could be the next Thibaut Courtois

The feedback Chelsea received about Mike Penders

Chelsea agreed a £17m deal with Genk for Penders, who will remain with the Belgium club until next year.

And before signing him, the Blues got some very good feedback about the goalkeeper, being told that he is “really special”, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Explaining why Chelsea decided to sign the 19-year-old on his YouTube channel, the transfer expert said: “Why Chelsea, even if they have many goalkeepers at the club, decided to invest big on Mike Penders?

“First of all, because the feedback they had on this goalkeeper was [he’s] something really, really special. So they consider him the new Thibaut Courtois in Belgium. Chelsea had a fantastic, fantastic report on him every single time their people were watching and following the player.”

Mike Penders will have to be patient

It may be some time before Penders gets the chance to become Chelsea’s No.1.

He is not even 20 yet, while Enzo Maresca has his first and second-choice goalkeepers, Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.

Sanchez has done well overall this season, so his spot in the squad does not appear to be in danger.

The Spaniard made an excellent save towards the end of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest just before the international break.

Penders also has Jorgensen ahead of him at this moment in time, while he may also have to worry about Djordje Petrovic and Gabriel Slonina.

Petrovic was Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper at one stage last season, so it really will be interesting to see what the club do with all of these shot-stoppers. At 19, though, and based on his scout reports, Penders could be Chelsea’s future.

But for now, Maresca looks to have settled on Sanchez being his No.1.