Chelsea’s multi-club model involving Strasbourg has been a real positive in the development of one of their top young players already.
Andrey Santos spent the last season and a half with the Ligue 1 side, coming on leaps and bounds as a player who can compete at the upper echelons of European football.
Santos scored some crucial goals for Strasbourg as they pushed to qualify for European football for the 2025/26 campaign, however the Brazilian will not be present for it.
Santos is currently impressing for Chelsea at the Club World Cup, however his development over the last year and a half will have proven to the club that this is a route they should continue to take.
Chelsea and Strasbourg in talks over Mike Penders loan
One of their most promising youngsters now is goalkeeper Mike Penders, who joined up with the squad in the United States for the competition after joining from Genk.
It has been reported that Chelsea are scared Penders won’t form a relationship with the club in a similar way to Thibaut Courtois, with him deciding to leave the club to join Real Madrid.
Despite that, it seems the Blues are prepared to see him begin his development elsewhere. Journalist Marc Mechenoua has claimed that the two BlueCo clubs are in talks for the Belgian to move on loan for the next campaign.
He said: “Chelsea and Strasbourg are considering loaning Mike Penders. Discussions are ongoing regarding the 19-year-old Belgian goalkeeper.”
Penders already backing himself at Stamford Bridge
Despite being a teenager, it appears that he has plenty of confidence that it won’t be long before he is the number one at the club.
It was even reported that Penders was backing himself to start next season at Stamford Bridge, however it doesn’t look as if that is in the club’s plans.
At this stage, it looks as if they are going to go into the next season with Robert Sanchez between the sticks after having the gloves for most of the Club World Cup.
Chelsea were interested in Mike Maignan, however he seems as if he is set to stay at AC Milan upon the arrival of their new manager.
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