By all accounts, Chelsea are going to be taking the upcoming Club World Cup very seriously, despite it coming in the Premier League off-season.
The Blues’ current season will be over in less than a week’s time, with there being a big chance for Enzo Maresca to deliver a trophy and Champions League football for the upcoming campaign.
Those players will not have a long break before they are back in action over in the United States, competing against the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Todd Boehly has already confirmed Andrey Santos will be in action for Chelsea in the tournament, as Blues fans prepare to see him in their shirt next season.
Chelsea set to take ‘really special’ youngster to Club World Cup
It can be expected that a number of new faces will be on show during the competition, with Chelsea wanting to complete a big signing by the start of the tournament.
A number of young players will be hoping for their chance too, and HLN have reported that goalkeeper Mike Penders is set to travel across the pond with the Blues to take part.
The report goes on to say that the youngster actually has a preference to be away from Stamford Bridge next season, with him preferring another loan spell at his current club, Genk.
Djordje Petrovic will also be back at Stamford Bridge after his season away from the club, meaning there will need to be a big decision made regarding that position.
Chelsea’s high hopes for Penders
There is no clarity over who will start next season between the sticks at Chelsea. The goalkeeper position has been one heavily criticised throughout the campaign.
Penders reportedly backs himself to already be good enough to feature as soon as the 2025/26 campaign, and Chelsea seemingly match his confidence in his ability.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues see Penders as a ‘really special’ young player, and the decision made surrounding their futures has normally seen them end up at Strasbourg, who are also under BlueCo ownership.
This isn’t always the case though. It is believed Estevao Willian will go straight into Maresca’s first team when he finally arrives at the club this summer.
