Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Mike Penders will compete with Robert Sanchez for the starting goalkeeper spot ahead of the new Premier League season. Alonso stated he is happy with Sanchez, Penders and Teddy Sharman-Lowe, but the young Belgian has impressed on loan at Strasbourg last season. Penders, 21, ranked seventh in Ligue 1 with 3.1 goals prevented and has the endorsement of former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon, who described him as a mature goalkeeper with good positioning and a proactive attitude. Despite only 78 senior professional appearances, Penders has the physical profile and technical ability to challenge Sanchez, who ranked eighth in the Premier League with 2.7 goals prevented last season. The goalkeeper battle will shape Chelsea's start to the campaign, with Alonso leaning towards Sanchez for the opening match against Fulham next Monday, August 24. Pyzdrowski, Chelsea's goalkeeping analyst, believes competition will push both keepers to improve, particularly as Penders adapts to the more expansive role required in the Premier League. His 6ft 7in stature and aggressive positioning in build-up play, reminiscent of Ederson, make him a modern shot-stopper, though work on near-post positioning and one-v-one composure remains. Chelsea face a delicate balancing act in integrating Penders while maintaining Premier League points, but Sanchez's positive note about the competition suggests a healthy battle for the No 1 spot. fixtures