Jorgensen Exits Chelsea Camp as Strasbourg Move Nears Completion

Filip Jorgensen has left Chelsea's pre-season camp in Australia and is heading back to England to finalize a transfer to Strasbourg, according to multiple insiders including insider. Romano reports that an agreement between all parties is "almost done," though it remains unclear whether the move will be a loan or a permanent deal. sources's Nizaar Kinsella also confirmed the Denmark international is traveling home to sort out his future. Coventry City, now managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, have expressed interest as well. The news comes after Jorgensen requested to leave Stamford Bridge earlier in July in search of regular first-team football. The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Villarreal for €23 million in July 2024, signing a seven-year contract, but managed only 36 appearances across the last two seasons, unable to displace Robert Sanchez as the club's No. 1. Jorgensen is one of several players heading out of west London ahead of Xabi Alonso's first campaign in charge, alongside Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Alejandro Garnacho. Chelsea also have highly-rated Belgium Under-21 international Mike Penders in their goalkeeping ranks. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, making 50 appearances for the French side, who finished eighth in Ligue 1 and reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. Penders joined Chelsea from Genk in August 2025 and was named in Belgium's 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, though he remained an unused substitute as Spain beat the Red Devils in the quarter-finals. Speaking before Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso made clear he wants to reduce his squad size. "We need to know that probably there will still be some movements," the Spaniard said. "We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan. Probably it will change until the last day of the market being open." When asked about an ideal squad number, Alonso replied: "Not too long, not too short. I can't give you a number. But for sure, we need to have options because we could be unlucky with injuries. We have two cups as well, so we need to fight for them as hard as in the Premier League. Once we get the right balance in qualities, personalities, and maturity moments, hopefully we are looking at that when we start the first Premier League game in August."