Djordje Petrovic saves Rey Manai's penalty kick during Albania v Serbia - European Qualifiers Group K - FIFA World Cup 2026
Photo by Armando Babani – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
In the summer, following Xabi Alonso’s appointment, Chelsea completely overhauled their goalkeeping department. Out went Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen; in came Mike Penders and Emi Martinez.
Sanchez began the season as the club’s no.1, with Jorgensen one of three players sent to Strasbourg on loan alongside Genesis Antwi and Dario Essugo. But it took Alonso one game to decide to sell Sanchez.
The Spaniard has gone to Como, initially on loan, and he has been replaced by Martinez. John Terry says Martinez is the signing of the summer, but a fractured jaw has seen Penders come into the starting XI.
The jury is still out on Chelsea’s goalkeeping department, and we will learn more as the season gets older. But should Chelsea regret selling the man largely responsible for Bournemouth’s stunning rise to form?
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Brad Friedel thinks Chelsea should regret selling Djordje Petrovic
After 14 clean sheets in 48 games for New England Revolution, Chelsea spent what is perceived to be around £14m to sign Djordje Petrovic in 2023. He would go on to play 31 times for the London club.
In that time, he kept seven clean sheets and conceded 44 goals. Not the most convincing of stats, but the 13-time Serbia ace did enough to convince Bournemouth to spend £25m to lured him away in 2025.
With Martinez likely out for the next six league games, how do you feel about Mike Penders as Chelsea's No.1? A broken jaw is expected to keep Martinez out for 45-60 days…
Surprised Martinez isn’t out for longer tbh
Mike is good consistency will make him more better
Martinez is a bit overrated. Don’t know much about Penders but will be interesting to see how he gets on
On TalkSPORT, Premier League icon Brad Friedel said he thinks Chelsea will regret selling Petrovic. He has gone on to play 51 times for the Cherries, but it’s his form this season that has really caught the eye.
“They [Bournemouth] have an excellent goalkeeper. He was one of yours,” Friedel told presenter Andy Jacobs, who is a Chelsea fan. “I really like Djordje. He was over in MLS and then went overseas.
“I think he’s an excellent goalkeeper. I’m wondering if Chelsea feel they should have allowed him to go, but a great gather by Bournemouth,” the former Liverpool, Tottenham, Villa and Blackburn man said.
So, has Petrovic been better than Martinez and Penders?
Petrovic has played 11 times in all competitions this season, conceding 14 times but keeping four clean sheets so far. Martinez struggled to stop the flow of goals until the Everton win, but then broke his jaw.
Jamie Carragher has questioned Martinez’s ability. After that, Penders made a mistake against Spurs, but rallied well against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, and on Saturday, kept a clean sheet against Man United.
Statistic 26-27 Petrovic Martínez Penders
Appearances 11 6 6
Minutes 990 524 466
Goals conceded 14 11 6
Goals conceded per 90 1.27 1.89 1.16
Saves 21/35 25/36 14/20
Saves per 90 1.91 4.29 2.70
Save percentage 60.0% 69.4% 70.0%
Clean sheets 4/11 1/6 3/6
Clean-sheet percentage 36.4% 16.7% 50.0%
PL goals prevented 0.00 +1.65 +0.73
What is quite clear is that the stats suggest Martinez has been the best performer so far. Petrovic hasn’t actually prevented any Premier League goals, while Martinez has prevented the best part of two goals.
The most saves, and per 90 minutes, he stops the most shots. But Penders has made an excellent start, his 70% save percentage showing huge promise. Petrovic has played more, but has the most clean sheets.
Ultimately, all three goalkeepers have shown bouts of very solid form. But if the stats prove one player has been the best of all three, Martinez has been the busiest, but by far the most effective.