Romeo Lavia has revealed that Chelsea’s players are encouraged by Mike Penders’ development after the young goalkeeper produced an impressive display in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United. According to The Chelsea Chronicle on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Lavia said the Belgian’s improvement has become a regular subject of conversation among teammates at the club’s training ground.

Penders has faced considerable attention since receiving an opportunity in goal following Emi Martinez’s injury. Although his earlier performances attracted criticism, particularly after a costly error against Tottenham Hotspur, the 21-year-old responded positively when Chelsea hosted Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The goalkeeper made three important saves during the contest, helping Alonso’s side record their second clean sheet in the Premier League this season. His most notable contribution came when Bryan Mbeumo unleashed a powerful effort that appeared dangerous, only for Penders to produce an excellent fingertip intervention that redirected the ball onto the crossbar.

The save demonstrated his sharp reflexes and ability to use his considerable physical presence effectively. Standing at 6ft 7in, Penders showed confidence under pressure and prevented United from finding a route back into the match.

Speaking after the final whistle, Lavia expressed his satisfaction with the goalkeeper’s performance and confirmed that his progress had not gone unnoticed by the rest of the squad. The midfielder explained that Chelsea’s players had been observing Penders during training and were pleased with the improvements he had made.

The youngster’s passing figures also offered an indication of his involvement in Chelsea’s build-up play. He completed 19 of his 25 attempted passes, while four of his 10 long-ball attempts found their intended target, giving him a 40 per cent success rate in that department.

Although Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens recorded eight saves, compared with Penders’ three, the Chelsea shot-stopper remained composed whenever his team needed him. His contribution was particularly valuable in helping the hosts protect their advantage and finish the encounter without conceding.

The performance will provide encouragement for manager Xabi Alonso as Chelsea continue managing Martinez’s absence. Penders has now delivered a response to the criticism surrounding his earlier mistake, giving the coaching staff another reason to have confidence in his abilities.

His latest display could also strengthen his position as Chelsea’s preferred goalkeeper while Martinez continues his recovery. However, maintaining that role will depend on his ability to reproduce the same level of concentration and consistency in upcoming matches.