Chelsea face Xabi Alonso dilemma over goalkeeper after Mike Penders' tough Premier League debut

Chelsea face Xabi Alonso dilemma over goalkeeper after Mike Penders' tough Premier League debut

Tottenham Hotspur thrashed the Blues and their goalkeeper Mike Penders had a rough first start in the Premier League, leaving Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso with a selection headache.

Emiliano Martinez was ruled out through injury, giving the young goalie a chance to shine. However, his first appearance in the big league didn’t go as planned, and left Chelsea fans wondering whether he can be trusted as a permanent member of the first squad.

Chelsea will be seeking to bounce back from a couple of disappointing performances and Alonso may have to weigh up his goalkeeping options before naming his next starting eleven.

Mike Penders makes Chelsea debut, makes a splash

Penders joined at a crucial time for Chelsea as the club suffered injuries in a critical position.

His opportunity to show what he could do came against Tottenham, but it turned sour very quickly.

One of the main talking points was a costly goalkeeping blunder. Penders mishandled an attempted punch dealing with an overhead delivery and the ball went into his own net.

The mistake put Tottenham on the front foot and added to the strain on Chelsea in a fiery encounter.

You can’t evaluate a goalie on one instance but certainly his performance has drawn notice.

Will Mike Penders leave Xabi Alonso?

The key question for Chelsea is whether Alonso will stay with Penders or shift to another available goalkeeper.

The Spanish coach is caught between the demand for fast results and the necessity to nurture young players.

By letting Penders leave, the door would be open for another goalie to step in and take the starting job. However keeping him in the team would show confidence and give him a chance to respond to a rough debut.

There’s been no formal word that Alonso intends to bench Penders.

The ultimate decision will be based on the goalkeeper’s performances in training, the availability of alternative options and Chelsea’s immediate fixtures.

Chelsea's Goalkeeper Situation

Things haven't been as easy for Chelsea's goalkeeping staff thus far this season.

Emiliano Martinez has been recovering from a jaw injury which gave more chance for Penders to be involved.

So Alonso has had to play his cards close to his chest, and keep the club competitive.

The return of Martinez might change the equation, particularly if he is fully fit to resume his duties between the posts.

Blues will be looking for a settled man between the sticks as they look to tighten up defensively.

Xabi Alonso Under Pressure To Improve Chelsea Results

It comes at a difficult time for Alonso’s Chelsea club in the goalkeeping dispute.

The team's performances have been under the microscope following a recent run of poor results, including a Premier League defeat at the hands of Tottenham and a penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea need to be more consistent and in instances where individual mistakes can have major ramifications for results.

Alonso will have to get the balance right between giving his players opportunity and picking the strongest side possible.

According to Reuters, Alonso has also taken charge of regulating players’ playing time, stressing that all members of the squad would have their opportunities as the season continues.

What Is Next for Mike Penders?

Penders’ first aim will be to put the dismal performance behind him.

Young goalkeepers often take time to adjust to the demands of professional football, especially at a club with huge expectations.

How soon he wins over the confidence of the coaching staff and supporters may depend on how he responds in training and future appearances.

“Chelsea have invested in building a squad that can compete at the highest level and part of that process is developing promising young players.

But Alonso's decisions will also depend on the immediate performance of the club.

Chelsea Team News: All the Latest Updates

As the club prepare for their next games there are a number of key Chelsea players whose fitness they are continuing to check.

The goalkeeping position is especially pertinent with Emiliano Martinez’s return, and Alonso’s selection options have been impacted by injuries to other first team players.

The manager will be looking to get more players back as the campaign goes on.

Final Thoughts

Xabi Alonso faces another selection headache at Chelsea after Mike Penders’ tough Premier League debut

It is still unclear whether the manager has faith in the rookie goalie or will make a change.

Clearly Chelsea will need to put in solid performances at the back to recover from their recent disappointments and be competitive on a regular basis during the course of the season.

Find all the latest Chelsea news, transfer updates, team selection news and Premier League coverage at SoccerStrive.com.