The Belgian came on to make his English top-flight debut at the age of 21 years and 78 days, surpassing Lenny Pidgeley as our youngest keeper in the league since 1992.

While Penders now holds the Premier League record for the Blues, our all-time youngest goalkeeper remains Kingsley Whiffen.

Whiffen was just 16 years and 157 days old when he made his solitary appearance away to Leicester City in Division One in 1967. Whiffen is followed by Steve Francis (17 years, 130 days) and Les Fridge (17 years, 251 days) as our youngest keepers.

Here is a closer look at the five youngest goalkeepers to feature for Chelsea in the Premier League era after Penders broke the record, which had stood for over 20 years…

1. Mike Penders – 21 years, 78 days

Everton (a) – 17 October 2026

Penders was called into action as a second-half substitute at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, replacing the injured Martinez.

The young Belgian, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, showed great composure under pressure. One dominant punch on the edge of the box caught the eye as he helped us see out a first league clean sheet since January.

2. Lenny Pidgeley – 21 years, 90 days

Charlton Athletic (h) – 7 May 2005

Academy graduate Pidgeley previously held the Premier League record. Pidgeley was our third-choice keeper, behind the great Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, in the title-winning seasons of 2004/05 and 2005/06.

He made his Blues bow on the day we lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time, brought on by Jose Mourinho late into our eventual 1-0 success over Charlton. He played one more game the following season before moving on to Millwall.

3. Petr Cech – 22 years, 87 days

Manchester United (h) – 15 August 2004

Petr Cech was not long 22 when he made his Chelsea debut on the opening day of that incredible 2004/05 season. He kept a clean sheet against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, setting the tone for a record-breaking campaign and career.

Cech has kept the most clean sheets in Premier League history, and at Chelsea went on to win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and, of course, the Champions League.

4. Thibaut Courtois – 22 years, 99 days

Burnley (a) – 18 August 2014

After three successful years on loan at Atletico Madrid, Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge to make his Premier League debut on the opening weekend of the 2014/15 season.

The towering Belgian displaced Cech between the posts that year, helping the Blues claim the Premier League title.

5. Filip Jorgensen – 22 years, 232 days

Southampton (a) – 4 December 2024

Rounding off the top five is Filip Jorgensen. Having signed from Villarreal in the summer of 2024, Jorgensen made his first Premier League appearance during a big midweek victory against Southampton.

He featured prominently in our triumphant UEFA Conference League campaign that season, and also played in the Club World Cup as we lifted more silverware

Chelsea’s youngest Premier League goalkeepers

Mike Penders | 21y 78d | Everton (a) (sub) | 17/10/2026

Lenny Pidgeley | 21y 90d | Charlton Athletic (h) (sub) | 07/05/2005

Petr Cech | 22y 87d | Manchester United (h) | 15/08/2004

Thibaut Courtois | 22y 99d | Burnley (a) | 18/08/2014

Filip Jorgensen | 22y 232d | Southampton (a) | 04/12/2024