Penders entered the reported 2-0 victory over Everton after Martinez was taken off and helped Chelsea preserve the clean sheet. That remains a small sample, but it gives head coach Xabi Alonso recent evidence of the Belgian goalkeeper’s readiness.
A short cameo is different from a sustained run. Penders would need to manage defensive organisation, aerial pressure and distribution across a demanding sequence of fixtures. Chelsea’s decision will therefore involve more than simply naming the next available goalkeeper.
The report says Penders could start against Tottenham in the Premier League and Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, while Martinez is also a major doubt for the meeting with Manchester United.
That schedule would test Chelsea’s depth immediately. League matches bring points pressure, while a cup tie adds the possibility of knockout consequences. For Penders, the priority will be reducing uncertainty: claiming crosses cleanly, communicating early and avoiding mistakes that place extra pressure on a defence adjusting to a new last line.
Martinez’s absence would also remove an experienced presence from the group. His reported injury means Alonso may need to change how Chelsea build from the back and how aggressively the defenders hold their positions.
The medical timeline remains subject to confirmation, but the selection issue is already clear. Penders has a clean sheet to support his case, while Chelsea must decide whether that evidence is enough for a run of high-profile matches.
The next team sheet against Tottenham should reveal whether Alonso trusts Penders immediately. His performance there could determine whether Chelsea treat the situation as short-term cover or a genuine goalkeeping transition.