Chelsea recorded a huge victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon, and in doing so, ending Everton’s unbeaten start to the season.
Pedro Neto’s two goals were enough to ensure Chelsea left with all three points, keeping a clean sheet in the process - the first in the Premier League for nine months.
However, the victory was somewhat soured with Emiliano Martinez suffering a head injury after colliding with Jarred Branthwaite midway through the second half.
After an eleven minute delay, resulting in Martinez leaving on a stretcher and being transported to Hospital, in came 21 year old Mike Penders. Signed from Genk in 2024, Penders has had to wait for his chance at Chelsea, but he certainly did not look out of place on his league debut.
Yes, Pedro Neto’s finishes were highlights in themselves, but the performance was really about defensive solidity and grit, something which the Blues have been lacking under Xabi Alonso.
Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer pressed tirelessly and tracked back all game. 36 year old Jordan Henderson covered the most distance on the pitch, and at the back there was a leadership and concentration that was reminiscent of title winning Chelsea sides.
It was a tough game for any substitute goalkeeper to come into, let alone a 21 year old making his league debut. But Penders had no fear. One of his very first actions was to come off his line to superman punch a cross away near the halfway line, then soon after, claiming another dangerous cross with his hands.
Penders was commanding his defence throughout the second half, not shy to shout at his backline to get out or to move another few steps in the wall from set pieces. Everton, aided by their crowd, tried to throw everything at Chelsea in a physical sense, but the Belgian more than matched it.
The 21 year old shot-stopper has a unique frame. He stands at 6’7 tall, with a huge reach and long arms. There have been comparisons to former title winning Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but their paths at the same age are eerily similar.
Away from the fact that both came through at Genk, joined Chelsea at a young age, both similar in height and even hair, Penders may have an attribute that even Courtois would likely admit isn’t his best, passing.
Despite being so tall, Penders is composed on the ball. He was used by Liam Rosenior as an extra centre back in build up at Strasbourg, and while the stats today do not particularly back this up strongly, those who have studied Penders will know that he could bring an extra dimension to Chelsea’s build up play.
It is an exciting time to be a Chelsea fan when a young, inexperienced player comes into the team and possesses the mentality and ability of someone much older. That is Penders to me.
He will likely get further chances in upcoming games due to Martinez’s injury. If he can stamp his authority again, Alonso may find himself having a very difficult decision to make about who his permanent number one is for the season.
