'Stupid' - Ex-PL CEO stunned by Chelsea's reported offer

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Chelsea’s move for young KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders “doesn’t make any sense”.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the Blues are “starting to look silly” with their stockpiling of youthful talent.

Journalist Sascha Tavolieri has reported (30 July) that Chelsea have offered more than €20million (£17.2million) for Penders, 19.

It is claimed the shot-stopper, who only recently made his senior Genk debut, will be loaned back to the Belgian club for the 2024-25 campaign.

The move for the teenager comes despite Chelsea already having seven senior goalkeepers on their books – with a move for Villarreal’s Filip Jørgensen finalised earlier in the summer window.

Chelsea ‘look silly’ as £17m Penders deal draws near, says Wyness

Wyness suggested football’s powers should step in and prevent the Blues from stockpiling young talent.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It doesn’t make any sense.

“He’d be the seventh or eighth goalkeeper coming in.

“He’ll come back to Chelsea next summer, so they’ll have this big problem of being stacked with talent who are unhappy at not getting game time.

“They’re wondering where they are going to go.

“It doesn’t make sense to overpay for this kind of talent.

“Chelsea have had experience making money out of their academy, and it makes sense as a business model – but it’s not good for the game to be stockpiling this talent.

“There has to be some way this can be looked at.

“They’re starting to look stupid with the way this is happening.

“These players are still not fully formed on a physical level, and all sorts of issues can crop up which would mean a costly mistake.

“Injuries happen, but Chelsea are just continuing to throw money at these big gambles.

“It seems to me that there are just so many voices at the club, there’s no clear strategy.

“They had a strong finish last season and they have to build on that, because a lot of things will come out the woodwork if they don’t.”

In other news, Chelsea to complete A-list striker signing after deal agreed.

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