News Focus
- Chelsea have cooled their interest in Stade de Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen.
- The Blues now target RC Strasbourg Alsace’s Mike Penders as backup to Robert Sánchez.
- Jaouen, 20, still attracts attention from top clubs including Real Madrid and Newcastle United.
- Filip Jörgensen is expected to leave Stamford Bridge, prompting the search for a new number two.
- Penders enjoyed a successful loan spell with Strasbourg and is ready for Premier League action.
Chelsea Football Club have reportedly ended their interest in French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen. The 20-year-old Stade de Reims star will not move to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to The Standard.
Instead, the Premier League side have turned their attention to RC Strasbourg Alsace’s Mike Penders. The west London club need a new backup keeper for Robert Sánchez. Current second-choice Filip Jörgensen is set to leave before the new season starts.
Jaouen has enjoyed an excellent season in France’s second tier. The France Under-21 international played 34 matches and kept 15 clean sheets for Reims. Despite his fine form, he will not join Chelsea. His contract with the Champagne-based club runs until June 2029, but he is unlikely to stay there for long.
The young shot-stopper continues to draw interest from other major European clubs. Both Newcastle United and Real Madrid have recently been linked with the Paris-born star.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have identified 20-year-old Penders as their preferred target. The keeper spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and impressed between the posts. He is expected to join the Blues’ squad ahead of the upcoming campaign. The move would see him become Sánchez’s deputy in the Chelsea defence.