Chelsea have been managing a lot of workload in terms of transfers this summer. Earlier, it was more about bringing in players who could add to Enzo Maresca's squad and that helped them win the Club World Cup. But lately, the Blues have redirected their focus to offloading some of their current talent, and they have been largely successful in doing so.
Players like Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mathis Amougou, among others, have already left the club. Some others, like Christopher Nkunku, and probably Nicolas Jackson, are expected to do the same in the near future.
Meanwhile, the departures list has another couple of fresh entries, with two more heading for the exit door but for different purposes. Chelsea have officially announced on their website that goalkeeper Mike Penders has joined RC Strasbourg on a season-long loan.
Chelsea agreed to sign the 19-year-old from Genk in 2024 and he officially completed the move this summer. The Blues have done a lot of business with their sister club Strasbourg in recent times. Last season, Andrey Santos was sent there to develop, and he had an incredible time, resulting in him becoming a part of Enzo Maresca's first-team plans.
Chelsea officially announce two more transfer moves
In this window, Amougou had earlier joined the French club permanently, although his deal involves a buy-back clause. Now, Penders has followed in his former Blues teammates’ footsteps, but on loan. The 19-year-old is highly rated and sometimes compared to Thibaut Courtois. We wish that his time at Strasbourg provides him with the opportunity to develop further.
Meanwhile, with this departure, Chelsea are further stretched in the goalkeeping department. Robert Sanchez remains the primary option for now, with Filip Jorgensen and Gabriel Slonina as backups.
Of course, Penders' one was not the only transfer that Chelsea have announced today. They have also confirmed that Joao Felix has departed and signed a permanent deal with Al-Nassr.
He will join Portuguese icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, there. Clearly, things were not working out for Felix at Chelsea. He spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan but failed to make enough of an impression to convince them to try and sign him on a permanent basis. Once one of the brightest talents in world football, he finds himself in the Saudi Pro League at 25 years of age. Hopefully, he will impress there and find himself back in the European game someday. Good luck, Joao.