According to a report by Football London on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Jason Cundy has shared his thoughts on Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures, voicing concerns about goalkeeper Mike Penders while identifying Josh Acheampong as a player who could make a major contribution to the team.

The former Chelsea defender discussed both youngsters during a review of the club’s performance against Everton, praising Acheampong’s development while questioning whether Penders was fully prepared to replace the injured Emi Martinez.

Martinez has undergone successful surgery after breaking his jaw in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The injury is expected to keep the Argentine goalkeeper out until December, creating an opportunity for Penders to establish himself between the posts under manager Xabi Alonso.

Penders featured against Everton on Saturday and reportedly broke Lenny Pidgeley’s record as the youngest goalkeeper to appear in the Premier League by two weeks.

Despite the milestone, Cundy believes the young shot-stopper still has considerable work to do before becoming a consistently reliable option for Chelsea. Speaking on the Spurs Chat podcast, he pointed out that Penders was still developing his game and explained that a run of consecutive appearances would help him gain experience, even if some costly mistakes were inevitable along the way.

Cundy also raised concerns about the goalkeeper’s decision-making, suggesting that he had been too enthusiastic when coming off the bench against Everton. He referred to an incident in which Penders rushed out and punched the ball close to the edge of the penalty area, indicating that the youngster needed to improve certain aspects of his game.

While acknowledging that regular appearances could accelerate Penders’ development, Cundy emphasised the importance of observing how he copes with the increased pressure that comes with greater responsibility at Chelsea.

His assessment of Acheampong, however, was considerably more positive. The former defender believes the young academy graduate has the potential to become a valuable member of Alonso’s squad, particularly because of his ability to perform different defensive roles.

The Chelsea manager has also praised the England Under-21 international’s flexibility after he impressed in a hybrid right-sided defensive position during the victory over Everton.

Cundy similarly highlighted Acheampong’s quality and ability to adapt to different tactical demands. He noted that the youngster had successfully adjusted to playing in a back four, with Lacroix and Colwill forming the central defensive partnership.

He described Acheampong’s display at right-back against Everton as outstanding, stressing how effectively the youngster had adapted to his responsibilities within the team’s defensive structure.

Meanwhile, Chelsea must prepare for a difficult series of matches, with Tottenham next on the schedule before they travel to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. A meeting with Manchester United will follow, giving Alonso little time to rest his squad as the Blues navigate a demanding period of the campaign.