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Xabi Alonso reveals what Chelsea legend told him about £17m signing
Oct 23 2026 16:50 · By Callum McAvoy · 42 Reads
Xabi Alonso will hand this Chelsea star his full Premier League debut against Tottenham (Photo: Getty)
Thibaut Courtois rates Mike Penders very highly and sees himself in the young Chelsea goalkeeper, Xabi Alonso has revealed.
Chelsea agreed a £17million deal to sign Penders back in 2024 but he had to wait until this season to make his debut for the Blues in the Carabao Cup.
Last week against Everton, he made his Premier League debut off the bench after Emiliano Martinez broke his jaw and had to be stretchered off in sickening scenes.
With Martinez ruled out for several weeks, all eyes will be on Penders over the next few games, starting with Saturday evening’s London derby against fierce rivals Tottenham.
The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and has been tipped to succeed Courtois as Belgium’s No.1 ahead of Manchester United’s Senne Lammens.
Alonso worked with Courtois at Real Madrid last season and has revealed he sought out the former Chelsea star and two-time Premier League champion when looking for information on Penders.
Asked in his pre-match press conference if he saw similarities between the two Belgium keepers, Alonso replied: ‘A lot.
Mike Penders joined Chelsea from Genk and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg (Photo: Getty)
‘There are a lot, not just for the nationality, for the stature. Both left-footed, both dominant on the air.
‘I spoke with Thibaut as well when he was in the World Cup, asking about Mike and he even said himself that he could see resemblances with Mike. We need to help him, support him, but for sure he’s a keeper for present and for the future.
‘He’s ready. He’s been training well. He’s played a couple of cup games where he showed that he has a good level, even the day when he came on against Everton, in a few minutes he showed his personality, his qualities.
Chelsea legend Thibaut Courtois sees a bit of himself in Penders (Photo: Getty)
‘That’s why we have a squad to be ready for these kinds of situations and we are fully convinced that Mike can play very well.’