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Player who wants to make it at Chelsea talks about 'high level of training' in preseason

Originally posted on Chelsea News | By Simon Phillips | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 11:37 AM ET

A player who wants to make it at Chelsea has been speaking about a “high level of training” in preseason in the summer.

Chelsea were testing many players in the squad in the summer and they had the Club World Cup to do that in as well. Some of them of course slotted into the squad for the season and have kept the numbers high there.

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Whilst others have decided to go out on loan and get some more game time in order to develop as a player some more.

Goalkeeper Mike Penders was one of those young players who felt it was best, along with Chelsea, to go out on loan this season to make sure he is playing plenty of football. His ultimate goal is to make it and play for Chelsea of course, but for now he is getting regular game time at Chelsea’s sister-club Strasbourg, and he’s doing well out there.

Dressing room insights

Penders, having spent time with his Chelsea team mates in the summer before he went on loan, has given some insights on the dressing room and training sessions at the club under Enzo Maresca.

In a recent interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Penders said: “It was good to tag along and get to know the group. You get a sense of the high level of training during those five weeks. All the guys were pretty friendly, too. How do you approach that? You come in, shake everyone’s hand. I’m the kind of person who immediately starts talking.

“Ultimately, you realise they’re all just great guys. Every dressing room is a bit similar, you know. You have a group of Spanish speakers, a group of English people. You end up playing cards together.”

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

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