How Chelsea loanee Mike Penders is proving his worth at Genk – Enzo Maresca must take note

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Chelsea’s goalkeeping issues are something that has been well-documented so far this campaign.

Enzo Maresca has chopped and changed his keepers throughout the season with Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez sharing minutes across different competitions.

Sanchez was labelled ‘terrible’ by Jamie O’Hara back in November, despite improving in recent weeks.

Jorgensen meanwhile ‘deserves a shot’ according to Peter Crouch, having been restricted to mainly cup appearances so far.

With Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation still not nailed down, one youngster could potentially make the position his own in 25/26 – if recent performances are anything to go by.

Chelsea loanee Mike Penders impressing at Genk

As Maresca juggles his goalkeeping options, Chelsea may be tempted to enter the goalkeeper market in the summer – they could however already have the answer to their problems.

Mike Penders, who agreed to join the Blues in August, is quickly earning himself a reputation as one of the best young shot-stoppers in Europe.

Despite being handed limited minutes so far this season, the 19-year-old has impressed in Belgium – most recently earning himself two clean sheets in a row for Genk’s first team.

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

Could Penders become Chelsea’s number-one goalkeeper?

Tall, athletic, and Belgian – Penders has already been compared to Thibaut Courtois, someone of course the Chelsea faithful are very familiar with.

If the youngster does keep improving and impressing in Belgium – he may potentially earn himself a slot in the Blues first-team next campaign.

With Sanchez, Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Marcus Bettinelli and Lucas Bergstrom all on Chelsea’s books – it won’t be easy for Penders to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.

This suggests Todd Boely and co may have to move on a number of names to make room for Penders, who Fabrizio Romano claims is ‘really special’.