Xabi Alonso has revealed that even Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois “could see resemblances” with young Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders amid comparisons between the pair.

Penders is expected to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea in Saturday’s derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with Emiliano Martinez out with a jaw injury.

This is a big test for the 21-year-old, who has only featured three times for Chelsea this season, including two Carabao Cup starts.

He has had a mixed start at Chelsea, keeping a clean sheet against League One side Luton Town in his debut, before conceding three against Leeds United in the third round of the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks later. That said, he did really well in his second-half cameo against Everton.

His lack of experience at the top level, having only had two senior seasons as a regular with Belgian side Genk and French side Strasbourg under his belt, is one of the reasons Chelsea remain reluctant to make him their number one despite his obvious potential.

“We wanted to have the best possible options, and once we decided that we would go for Emi, I think we have a good balance,” Alonso said in Friday’s press conference when asked why Penders was not given the first-choice goalkeeper role.

“I think Mike is our keeper for now and for the future. 

“Having the support, learning with an experienced goalkeeper like Emi, he's having a great impact on the team and on Mike, and looking forward to the next game. 

“We are happy with his preparation.”

Alonso further added that the Belgium international is “ready” and has been “training well”. The manager is clearly confident in Penders’ ability to fill Martinez’s shoes in the next few weeks.

Both being Belgians, coming from Genk’s academy, and standing at similar heights (6ft 7in) likely made the comparisons between the two goalkeepers inevitable.

Alonso even argued that they also share plenty of other attributes, as he shared the conversation he had with Courtois, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, about Penders.

“A lot. There are a lot, not just for the nationality or the stature,” the Chelsea boss responded when asked about similarities between Penders and Courtois.

“Both left-footed, both dominant on the air. 

“I spoke with Thibaut as well when he was in the World Cup, asking about Mike, and he even said to himself that he could see resemblances with Mike. 

“We need to help him, support him, but for sure he's a keeper for the present and for the future.”

Chelsea recorded their first Premier League clean sheet of the season against Everton last week, and Penders played a role in this as a second-half substitute.

The team’s improved defensive record since the international break will give him some confidence, but it is also important not to put too much pressure on the young goalkeeper in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

As Alonso pointed out, Penders has the technical abilities to perform for Chelsea in the present, but he is also someone that the club views as a long-term prospect for the future. However, if he does well in the next games, it could fast-track his progress to Chelsea's number one spot.