Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders is in contention to start Tuesday’s Coupe de France quarter-final clash against Reims, according to reports from the Alsace region. The 20-year-old Belgian, on loan from Chelsea, has featured in 23 Ligue 1 matches for Strasbourg this season, conceding 26 goals.
Penders joined Strasbourg in August 2025 on a season-long loan from Chelsea, having signed with the Premier League club the previous summer. Prior to his move to England, Penders developed through the youth ranks at KRC Genk, where he signed his first professional contract in April 2021 and later extended his commitment until 2025. He spent the 2022-2024 seasons with Jong Genk and KRC Genk’s first team, making a total of 70 appearances across both sides.
Strasbourg advanced to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Monaco in February. Reims secured their place in the last eight with a 3-0 win against Le Mans. A win for Strasbourg would see them reach the Coupe de France semi-finals for the first time since 2001, when they won the competition for a third time. Reims are aiming to reach the semi-finals for a second consecutive campaign.
The match is scheduled to be played at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg. Strasbourg have been unbeaten in 12 of their previous 14 competitive fixtures, with their only home defeat during that period coming against Paris Saint-Germain.
Reims currently sit third in Ligue 2, one point behind Saint-Étienne for an automatic promotion spot to Ligue 1. Four of their five tournament wins this season have arrive in away matches, conceding only one goal in those games.
