Issues weren't only noticed on the field during Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League, but also off it.

It was a disappointing end to the next block of fixtures for Chelsea as they headed into the November international break following a loss against a side that was bottom of the table before Sunday's league win over the Blues at the Stadium of Light.

Xabi Alonso's side would have felt frustrated that certain decisions didn't go their way, but the performance was equally as disappointing, which saw them lose their third league game in a row against the Black Cats.

One of the few players who came away from the game positively was goalkeeper Mike Penders. The 21-year-old has been filling in for Emiliano Martinez, who is recovering from jaw surgery after a nasty collision with Everton last month.

Alonso didn't want to risk the Argentine against Sunderland, so Penders appears to have played his final league game for the time being, with Martinez likely to return against Leeds United on November 21.

But his spell in goal has proven to Chelsea that despite his age, Penders is one to count on for the future and showed signs why the club are looking for him to be the club's long-term number one goalkeeper.

Chelsea were saved on several occasions by Penders on the pitch against Sunderland, and he was put in front of the media at full-time to save many other players from talking. Was that the right decision? 

Despite being one of the younger players in the squad, Penders was selected to be interviewed by Sky Sports to reflect on the 1-0 loss at Sunderland.

He spoke candidly and told his teammates to use the international break to reset and come back stronger when they return to face Leeds. Penders is currently with the Belgium national team.

During his interview with Sky Sports, Penders said: "We knew it would be tough, we are disappointed we lost the game. At one point it went very fast from side to side. Sometimes we had to control. With 11 behind the ball it is difficult to find the spaces.

"The international break is coming so the lads can be calm in the head and when we all come back we need to be motivated to go again."

Penders interview showed maturity, to come out and speak in a tough moment for the club. But why was he selected?

Particularly in tough moments, that is when senior players should be stepping up and facing up to them. They didn't do so on this occasion and left it to a youngster. 

It is easy for the leaders on the side to come out after a win to lap up the positivity, but they are judged more during the difficult times. Obviously, sometimes it doesn't matter what you say; you will receive criticism, rightly or wrongly, but that shouldn't be left to a player who joined the Blues a couple of months ago. 

Once the international break concludes, the time for talking is over. Chelsea need to bounce back on their first attempt when they host Leeds, as a daunting fixture schedule to conclude 2026 awaits.