Chelsea are pursuing the perfect manager for Mike Penders
The managerial shortlist is growing at Chelsea. Plenty of names continue to be linked with replacing Liam Rosenior, but only one gaffer is perfect for the returning Mike Penders.
When Chelsea’s hierarchy have appointed a manager and focus on new signings, centre-back is likely to be a priority. A new goalkeeper might be too, though reports say Penders will be Chelsea’s new no.1.
What would you do with Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders?
Robert Sanchez has been error-prone once again this season, despite his excellent performance against Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final. Filip Jorgensen cannot seem to stay injury-free at the moment.
Penders has sparkled on loan, with Strasbourg currently in the Conference League semi-finals. He is due to return to Chelsea, and if he could pick a manager on Chelsea’s list, he’d surely pick Francesco Farioli.
Why Francesco Farioli is perfect for goalkeeper Mike Penders
If the Blues hierarchy are serious about making Penders their no.1 next season, then Farioli is the ideal choice. Farioli has just guided Porto to the Liga NOS title, seeing off Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten Benfica.
Farioli has done so using the goalkeeper as a third centre-back during the build-up. Often, Farioli’s pick in goal will hold on to the ball and wait for a striker to press before finding a teammate and baiting a press.
It has allowed Porto to average 63% possession this season, conceding only 15 goals in 32 league games. Penders, meanwhile, is renowned for his Manuel Neuer-like strolls out of the box and incisive passing.
Goalkeepers often have a low pass percentage. Kicking long often results in a duel loss, yet Penders has a passing success rate of 86.2%. Not only that, but Penders has completed 124 long passes this season.
Composed in possession, Penders would have no trouble working in Farioli’s system. Certainly, he would be a whole lot better at it than the likes of Sanchez and even Jorgensen, who is also solid with the ball.
Rosenior might have thrived with Penders at Chelsea
Had things not turned sour, had the squad not turned on ‘supply-teacher’ Rosenior, then with Penders he might have been finally able to unleash his tactical flair. But Rosenior was not given that opportunity.
DISCUSS: Farioli’s winning mentality is exactly what Chelsea need.
Three wins every four games is remarkable.
With Penders and pre-season, Farioli would be able to instil his philosophies. The kind of tactical genius that has seen Porto president and former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas describe as “revolutionary“.
But it is clear. If Chelsea are planning to bring Penders back to the club after two years out on loan with Genk and Strasbourg, then Farioli is the best pick for the Belgian goalkeeper among the bosses linked.
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