Chelsea - who loaned out former No1 Robert Sanchez to Como in the summer after signing Martinez from Aston Villa as Filip Jorgensen went to BlueCo sister club Strasbourg - have full trust that Penders can be a capable understudy and their long-term No1 of the future.
Elsewhere in the team, Chelsea have won back-to-back Premier League games by an aggregate scoreline of 7-1 with Jordan Henderson, 36, and Moises Caicedo as their midfield double pivot. The duo partner one another against Spurs at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and £117million summer signing Morgan Rogers were expected to start as Chelsea’s front three once more, but Joao Pedro is out as an unspecified injury is assessed and Geovany Quenda makes a surprise start.
Manager Xabi Alonso keeps Pedro Neto at right wing-back after he scored both goals against Everton, with either Rogers or Palmer presumably operating as a false nine.
At centre-back, Wesley Fofana has been benched for the last two matches and Alonso is known to be fond of Cobham academy product Josh Acheampong, so chooses to start the Englishman again.
Time to shine: Mike Penders will step up for Chelsea in the absence of Emi Martinez
PA
Chelsea XI vs Tottenham: Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Henderson, Caicedo, Hato; Palmer, Quenda, Rogers
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Fofana, Gusto, Palestra, Barco, Lavia, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Welbeck
Injured: James, Martinez, Chavarria, Gittens, Emegha, Joao Pedro
Time and date: 5:30pm BST on Saturday October 24, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge
How to watch: Sky Sports