Sunderland v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
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Moises Caicedo of Chelsea applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Chelsea FC at Stadium of Light
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Sunderland v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
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Cole Palmer of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Chelsea FC at Stadium of Light
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Sunderland's Brian Brobbey holds off the challenge from Chelsea's Levi Colwill
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Sunderland v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
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Chelsea player ratings vs Sunderland as 4/10 attacker disappoints alongside Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill of Chelsea
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Substitutes
Estevao Willian – 6/10
Really should have started the match. Was a threat down the right with his directness.
Geovany Quenda – 6/10
Was dangerous when he came on. Geovany Quenda and Estevao Willian both did more than Chelsea’s starting attackers.
Danny Welbeck – N/A
Cannot remember if he even had a touch…
Malo Gusto – N/A
Emmanuel Emegha – N/A
Why Josh Acheampong and Emi Martinez missed Sunderland trip as Xabi Alonso gives update
Chelsea FC Training and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Not for the first time, Xabi Alonso sprung a surprise with his team selection on Sunday as Chelsea faced Sunderland on Wearside, with Josh Acheampong and Emi Martinez both missing.
Alonso is known to keep his injury news in-house and close to his chest when asked. He is also more than willing to throw a curveball when picking his side; Geovany Quenda against Tottenham, for example.
Even against Man United and Tottenham, no official striker. Today, Chelsea went to Sunderland the Blues boss named another surprise selection, completely changing his side’s formation for the north-east bout.
READ MORE:How close Chelsea came to signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka
Xabi Alonso explains Acheampong and Martinez’s omissions
Chelsea fans got some good news ahead of the line-up being announced, with Moises Caicedo spotted alongside his teammates on a pre-match walk. Caicedo started the match in a three-man midfield.
Alonso decided to switch to a 4-3-3 with Acheampong also absent, starting Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson, while Estevao dropped out. It is an eighth different midfield in just 13 games under Alonso.
Cole Palmer and three other Chelsea stars snubbed! What do you make of Thomas Tuchel's England squad? 🤔 Morgan Rogers does makes the squad, though.
We did have our best finish since ‘66 - it’s not like we went out in the group
I think this is harsh! We’d all prefer an English manager but I do believe Tuchel likes us a lot
I’m not sure about that. He just doesn’t like Palmer for whatever reason
Speaking to Chelsea’s website, Alonso explained that Acheampong has muscle fatigue and, while it is not anything to worry about, it proved too much for Acheampong to be included in the travelling squad.
“He missed the fitness to be ready for today, but we are expecting that he will be back after the international break. It’s a pity because he was in a good moment,” Alonso explained on Acheampong.
Martinez’s explanation was simpler, given it is just three weeks since his injury. Alonso said Martinez: “He has made a great effort to be available, but probably it was too rash, too risky [to be selected].
“So he will use one more week, ten days, to keep on training and get used to the mask. I’m sure after the break he will be available,” he added, even though Martinez has been called up by Argentina this month.
When Argentina play during the international break…
Alonso says Martinez will be available to pick between a week and 10 days. The fact he simply didn’t say after the international break suggests he knows Martinez will be in action for Argentina during the break.
In five days, Argentina take on Uruguay before facing Costa Rica on November 17th. Given they are just friendly games, it might be that Lionel Scaloni rests Martinez for the first, and uses him in the second.
There is no doubt that there is some communication ongoing between Chelsea and Argentina regarding the fitness of the £7.5m summer signing. Penders made his sixth start, and seventh outing, in his place.