Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that the club will not enter the transfer market for a new first-choice goalkeeper this summer, throwing his backing behind Robert Sanchez and promising Belgian youngster Mike Penders.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's pre-season clash with AC Milan in Jakarta, Alonso poured cold water on speculation linking the Blues with summer moves for high-profile targets such as Porto's Diogo Costa.

“I’m very happy with Rob (Sanchez), Mike (Penders) and Teddy (Sharman-Lowe),” Alonso said. “Mike is a young goalkeeper who had a great season at Strasbourg. Rob, he has played many years in the club; in Chelsea, as well as the Premier League, he has experience. So to have this security in goal is important.”

Sanchez Poised to Start, but Penders Lurking

Alonso’s pre-season selections across Chelsea's tour of Australia and East Asia strongly indicate that the 28-year-old Sanchez will retain the starting role when Chelsea kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham. Penders did not play a minute across the recent weekend double-header against Milan and Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Despite persistent fan skepticism surrounding Sanchez, the Spaniard prevented 2.7 expected goals last season according to Opta metrics, ranking eighth among Premier League goalkeepers. However, 21-year-old Penders impressed heavily on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, preventing 3.1 expected goals after preventing 4.3 in Belgium with Genk the prior campaign.

Penders, who stands at an imposing 6ft 7in (200cm), has also earned high praise from Chelsea's legendary former goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

“I saw a mature goalkeeper,” Lollichon said of Penders. “He has to improve with the ball at his feet, but at his age, he’s very good. He has good positioning, he’s proactive and he wants to learn... This guy could be the next good one in Chelsea, because for a long time now the goalkeeper position is poor in Chelsea.”

Healthy Competition in West London

Sanchez has publicly welcomed the challenge from Penders rather than viewing the young Belgian as a threat to his position.

“I think it is great for him to come here,” Sanchez stated. “It is great competition. He has massive potential. I think he is going to be a great goalkeeper in the future — massive. You need someone, another choice, to cover and push each other to elevate your level. If you do not have someone who is pushing you every day, you get lazy, and then the performance drops.”

With 78 senior league appearances under his belt, Penders represents a long-term investment, but any early-season slip-ups from Sanchez could accelerate the Belgian's path into Chelsea's starting lineup.