Emiliano Martinez - General
As per latest news, Chelsea have received encouraging injury update on goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he came through surgery following a head clash at Everton. Martinez expects a quick return, and Mike Penders looks set to play at least the next three games.
Emiliano Martinez gives positive update from hospital
As reported by BBC, Martinez, 34, broke his jaw in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. It came in the 67th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium as he went to clear a free kick. Both players needed treatment, and Martinez received eight minutes of care before he left on a stretcher for hospital. Manager Xabi Alonso said straight after the game that Martinez left the stadium conscious and was having precautionary tests. He added: “Hopefully it won’t be too bad, but we need to wait at the moment.”Alonso later said the goalkeeper had also been concussed, though the club has not confirmed a return date.
Posting from hospital on Sunday while wearing a gown, Martinez confirmed on social media that the operation went well. On the win itself, he said: “The most important thing is that we won, and kept a clean sheet.” His message ended with a clear timeline for his return: “In a few weeks we’ll be back.”
Martinez’s Premier League 2026/27 stats for Chelsea so far, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Goals conceded Clean sheets Saves Save percentage
Premier League 6 11 1 25 69.4%
Penders ready for bigger role
Mike Penders, 21, replaced World Cup winner Martinez midway through the second half and made his Premier League debut. He helped Chelsea see out a 2-0 away win that ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the league season. Pedro Neto scored both goals after the break, and Chelsea kept their first league clean sheet since January. Penders arrived from Genk for £17m in 2024 and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg.
Martinez had been Chelsea’s first choice in goal since joining from Aston Villa in August. Robert Sanchez made costly errors in the opening 3-2 win at Fulham, which opened the door for Martinez. Chelsea then loaned Sanchez to Como and Filip Jorgensen to Strasbourg, leaving Penders as the main cover in goal. Alonso backed Penders, calling him brave and a player with personality, adding: “We have full trust with him.” He also said “it’s all about the squad” and wants every player to feel important when needed.
Emiliano Martinez - General
Emiliano Martinez - General
Tactical impact and next fixtures
Martinez won the Golden Glove at the 2022 World Cup, and Chelsea will miss that experience at the back. Penders is still settling in, so the defence may need to organize more clearly around him. Defenders can shield the keeper’s path on corners and free kicks, giving him a clear run at the ball. If Alonso’s football stays built around playing out from the back, Penders will need calm feet under pressure.
Even a quick recovery could cost Martinez several matches, possibly including Tottenham and Manchester United. Chelsea should avoid rushing him back, because a concussion needs a full, staged return before contact training. Chelsea host Tottenham on 24 October and then visit Liverpool in the Carabao Cup four days later. Manchester United follow at Stamford Bridge on 31 October, completing a run of three games in eight days.
Malo Gusto missed the game through illness, and Pep Chavarria had tests on Sunday after a training problem. Alonso has backed Penders openly, and a strong run in these games would justify that trust. With Emiliano Martinez weeks from returning, this is a chance for the young goalkeeper to impress.
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