Martinez, James and Gusto: Chelsea injury list and return dates ahead of Tottenham clash
The latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates following an injury to Emi Martinez
Chelsea continued their post-international break renaissance in impressive fashion last weekend, as Xabi Alonso’s side secured a hard-fought 2-0 win away at Everton. The result saw the Blues make it two wins on the trot following their 5-1 demolition of Bournemouth the previous week, and ended last weekend fourth in the Premier League table.
Next up, Chelsea have an ideal opportunity to get one over on their London rivals, with Tottenham Hotspur set to visit Stamford Bridge next Saturday evening. Despite their lavish spending over the summer months, Spurs have endured a dire start to the new campaign, and find themselves bottom of the Premier League table ahead of their next game.
As the Blues begin their preparations for next weekend’s clash against Spurs - a side they’ve not lost to at home since 2018 - we’ve got the latest Chelsea injury news including updates on the likes of goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who suffered a broken jaw against Everton, and club captain Reece James.
Chelsea injury news update: Reece James out again
Blues skipper James missed the extended international break with England due to a thigh problem, and he’s now set for another spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery. He’s set to be out for three months, as the wear and tear of two summer tournaments on the bounce have caught up with the 26-year-old. If his recovery goes well, he could be back to face Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on 16th January.
Elsewhere, Malo Gusto missed out on Chelsea’s trip to face Everton. This was due to a virus, so he should be fully recovered in time to feature against Tottenham on 24th October. His teammate Pep Chavarria also didn’t play against Everton - he picked up an unspecified knock in the build-up, the severity of which remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, striker Emmanuel Emegha is yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues, and is set to see his wait continue after failing to feature in the matchday squad that beat the Toffees. He’s set to train this week, but is still not match fit and may have to wait until Chelsea’s home fixture against Man United on 31st October to finally see some action. Jamie Gittens’ return timeframe looks similar, as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
How long will Martinez be out for?
A brutal clash of heads with Everton and England star Jarrad Branthwaite saw Emi Martinez stretchered off the field on Saturday. He was rushed straight to hospital, where it was confirmed that the Argentina international had suffered a broken jaw for which he underwent successful surgery.
The recovery timeframe for this injury is set to be around six to seven weeks, meaning he may have to wait until Liverpool’s trip to west London on 5th December to make his comeback. It’s a brutal blow for the Blues, but will present a fine opportunity for rising star Mike Penders to prove his worth as he steps in for the ex-Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Chelsea have struggled significantly when it comes to defending in recent seasons, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s lack of composure on the ball and wayward clearances seeing his side punished time and time again. With Sanchez now at Como on loan, the Blues will be eager to get Martinez back as soon as possible as they look to improve their dire clean sheet record.