Meet Mike Penders: the 21-year-old thrust into Chelsea's spotlight after Martinez injury

From Genk to Stamford Bridge via Strasbourg

With Emiliano Martinez facing a potential spell on the sidelines, attention turns to Mike Penders, the 21-year-old who became Chelsea's youngest goalkeeper to play in the Premier League when he replaced the injured Argentina international against Everton. Penders has made 81 senior appearances in his career to date.

Chelsea signed Penders from Genk for £17m in 2024 before loaning him back to the Belgian club. He then spent last season on loan at sister club Strasbourg, where he impressed in both the Conference League and Ligue 1.

A Courtois comparison

Genk have developed a reputation for producing elite goalkeepers, and Penders is frequently compared to Thibaut Courtois by those who know him best. Like the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Penders stands at 6ft 7in and has recently served as his understudy in the Belgium national team set-up.

He has worked with the same legendary youth goalkeeping coaches, Guy Martens and Gilbert Roex, who also helped develop Koen Casteels, Maarten Vandevoordt, now at RB Leipzig, Lucca Brughmans, who will join Liverpool next summer from Genk, and Nordin Jackers of Club Brugge.

They specialise in developing goalkeepers who are good with their feet, including Penders, who recorded the highest average position while playing out from the back under Rosenior at the Ligue 1 club early last season.

Roex, who has known Penders since his academy days, believes he is capable of matching Courtois' level of success at Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. He said: "We have produced a lot of great goalkeepers, but Mike is the one with the potential to reach the same level as Thibaut. His sense of calm is gold in goalkeeping."

Ready for the toughest of tests?

With difficult matches to come - Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League either side of a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool - there will be questions over whether the young Belgian is ready for the demanding run of fixtures ahead, particularly if Martinez is ruled out by concussion protocols.