Penders, 20, signed for Chelsea from Genk for £17 million in August 2024 and spent the 2025-26 season on loan at sister club Strasbourg, where he started every Ligue 1 match bar one and kept eight clean sheets. He also played a key role in Strasbourg's run to the Conference League semi-finals, making a series of important saves in the second leg of their quarter-final victory.
His performances earned him a place in Rudi Garcia's 26-man Belgium squad for the World Cup, alongside the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku — and ahead of more experienced goalkeeping options. Penders has yet to make his senior international debut.
Speaking to Voetbalkrant from Belgium's World Cup training camp, Penders reflected on the call-up.
"Did I know beforehand? No, not at all. When the national coach called out my name, I did cheer for a moment. My family at home was also incredibly happy; we called each other immediately. Because the competition from fellow goalkeepers was really tough. They all had an incredible season; it certainly won't have been easy for the coach to make the decision."
Penders still has six years remaining on his Chelsea contract. With Filip Jørgensen expected to leave Stamford Bridge permanently this summer, Chelsea face a decision on their goalkeeping hierarchy heading into Xabi Alonso's first full season in charge. According to Sky's Sacha Tavolieri, the club intends to integrate Penders gradually into the first-team picture rather than send him out on a third consecutive loan — a pattern the club is keen to avoid repeating after Thibaut Courtois spent three years on loan early in his career before eventually returning to Chelsea only to leave for Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.
Asked directly about his future, Penders was measured but ambitious.
"I am starting pre-season at Chelsea and will try to prove myself in training. Hopefully, I stay injury-free and can prove myself. Anything is possible, but I am starting at Chelsea and will do my utmost to achieve my goal. Am I ready for it? Definitely, but first I want to focus entirely on this World Cup. After that, we'll see."
Former Chelsea and ex-Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, who coached Penders during the first half of the season before departing for Chelsea himself in January, described him as "an outstanding operator in possession."
Whether that description survives first contact with Premier League pressure is precisely what the coming season at Stamford Bridge will determine.