'Kind of a mix of Courtois and Ederson': goalkeeping expert on young Chelsea loanee Mike Penders
Last summer, Chelsea announced the signing of goalkeeper Mike Penders who remained on loan at Belgian side Genk till the end of this season.
As he is set to come to Stamford Bridge this year, former goalkeeper and expert for The Athletic Matt Pyzdrowski delivered his verdict on the 19-year-old.
"The two goalkeepers he reminds me of are Courtois and Ederson. He’s kind of a mix of the two," Pyzdrowski says.
"He’s not as composed with the ball at his feet as Ederson yet, but what I really like about Penders is his ability to go long.
"He’s able to stretch the field just like Ederson and start counter-attacks from nothing, which is a huge asset. The way he hits the ball is fast, direct, but also very accurate.
"On his line and with balls around his area, he’s really good. He’s a big guy but he’s very quick to pounce when there’s a free ball in and around his box. He uses his body and has really good timing in those situations.
"He’s a project. If there are Chelsea fans out there hoping he arrives in the summer and competes for the No 1 spot, it’s too early. It would also be a risk to throw him into that situation. That’s not to say a 19-year-old can’t handle it.
"If he [Penders] gets game time and works on his deficiencies, it’s not hard to see him being one of the best goalkeepers in the world in a few years."
