Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso sees some qualities of Thibaut Courtois in Mike Penders. He is confident that Penders can fill in for Emi Martinez, who is injured.
The 21-year-old Penders became Chelsea’s youngest Premier League goalkeeper when he replaced Martinez. The Argentine keeper had surgery on a fractured jaw during the second half of last weekend’s 2-0 victory against Everton.
Courtois is known as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He played for Chelsea from 2011 to 2018, but spent his first three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.
Alonso also had Courtois under his management at Real Madrid. "A lot of similarities, not just for the nationality," Alonso said about Courtois and Penders ahead of Chelsea’s match against Tottenham on Saturday.
"For the stature, both left-footed, both dominant in the air. I spoke with Thibaut when he was at the World Cup. I asked him about Mike. He said himself he could see a resemblance.
"We need to help him, support him. He’s a keeper for the present and for the future."
Chelsea signed Penders two years ago. He spent the last two seasons at his former club Genk and then on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
"He’s ready," Alonso added. "He’s been training well, he’s played a couple of cup games, and he’s shown he has a good level.
"When he came on against Everton, he showed his personality, his qualities. We are fully convinced that Mike can play very well."
Martinez needed eight minutes of treatment on the field before he was carried off at Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend. Alonso's team is currently fourth in the Premier League and eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
"Few weeks, hopefully less than more," said Alonso about Martinez’s recovery. "The good thing is he’s feeling better. We need to listen to his feelings, the opinions of the doctors and specialists.
"Considering that it was a bad one, he’s doing good."
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇