Chelsea are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping department before the summer transfer window closes under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Blues started their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Fulham, but Robert Sanchez struggled during the game.
His errors raised fresh concerns despite Chelsea eventually securing all three points from their opening league fixture.
As a result, Chelsea started assessing options to bring in a top-class number one before the transfer deadline.
Transfer News Live previously reported that Chelsea were exploring a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez this summer.
The 33-year-old is pushing to leave Villa Park after also attracting interest during the previous summer transfer window.
Further uncertainty emerged after Aston Villa signed Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, while Martinez missed their opening Premier League game.
Chelsea subsequently joined Tottenham Hotspur in showing interest and could have made a concrete approach during the closing stages.
However, Chelsea have now changed direction despite Alonso recently asking the club to sign the Argentine goalkeeper.
According to Simon Phillips, Chelsea are now backing Mike Penders instead of pursuing Emiliano Martinez as their new first-choice solution.
Penders impressed during his loan spell with sister club Strasbourg last season and remains highly rated inside Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea previously believed the 21-year-old was not ready to immediately become Alonso’s first-choice goalkeeper at the club.
However, the hierarchy now appear prepared to wait for Penders to develop rather than sign another goalkeeper this summer.
That decision effectively ends Chelsea’s push for Martinez despite Sanchez producing another below-par performance against Fulham.
Chelsea have frequently invested in young players while building their long-term project, although they showed more flexibility this summer.
The club signed Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, while Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson also arrived during the window.
Still, the Blues now look unlikely to follow that approach with Martinez and instead plan around Penders for the goalkeeper position.
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