Chelsea will be without a number of key names when they face Tottenham this weekend.
The Blues lost No1 goalkeeper Emi Martinez in their 2-0 win over Everton, while Pep Chavarria also suffered a knock, along with Malo Gusto.
They were already missing another three players on top of that as Xabi Alonso looks to push on in what has been an inconsistent start to his Stamford Bridge reign.
Emi Martinez
Argentine Martinez was clattered by Jarrad Branthwaite on Merseyside last weekend.
He was stretchered off the field, replaced by Mike Penders, and it was confirmed that he had broken his jaw.
He has since had surgery on the injury, and he will be set to be sidelined for the next few weeks.
“What we know is he left the stadium conscious and right now he is in the hospital doing precautionary tests,” Alonso said of Martinez after the game. “It was concussion but more than that I saw only one clip. Hopefully it won't be too bad but we need to wait.”
Stretchered: Emi Martinez
AFP/Getty
The goalkeeper wrote in a social media post: “Thanks to everyone for the messages. The operation went well.
“The most important thing is that we won, and kept a clean sheet. In a few weeks we'll be back.”
Potential return date: November
Pep Chavarria
Wing-back Chavarria was looking to make his third straight start in the league for his new club at the Hill Dickenson Stadium, but he withdrew from the matchday squad with an injury picked up in training on the day before the game.
Jorell Hato started ahead of him, with Alonso offering an update on his compatriot.
“[Pep had] a little problem yesterday; we are not certain of the situation yet because it was late. Jorrel is fit and has played there, so it’s just that change,” the Spaniard said.
Potential return date: October 24 vs Tottenham (H)
Dropped out: Pep Chavarria
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Malo Gusto
The Frenchman was another that was not involved against Everton.
The full-back has been fielded in midfield at times under Alonso, but he was not in the squad for the trip to the north-west.
Alonso revealed that Gusto had been ill in the build-up, and he will be back to face Spurs.
Potential return date: October 24 vs Tottenham (H)
Reece James
Club captain James was absent from the defeat at Brentford with a hamstring problem.
He was expected to return against Bournemouth after the international break, but he was ruled out with a knee injury that he picked up in training.
He has since undergone an operation, with Standard Sport’s understanding that he will be out of action for approximately three months.
Potential return date: January
Long term: Reece James
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Jamie Gittens
Winger Gittens picked up an ankle injury while playing for England’s Under-21s in a 2027 European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan at Molineux last month and was spotted using crutches after the game.
The player returned early to Chelsea for assessment and treatment, with Alonso saying before the Bournemouth match that he would be sidelined for a number of weeks.
That remained the prognosis before the win over Everton, with Alonso saying: “Not yet. Still a few weeks.”
Potential return date: November
Emmanuel Emegha
Summer signing Emegha has not featured for his new side since his moce from sister club Strasbourg.
The Dutchman suffered a hamstring problem in a friendly against Bromley in pre-season, and he has not featured in any matchday squad this term, barring a place on the bench in the League Cup win over Luton.
He has since returned to training, but Alonso revealed that the striker had suffered another setback.
Setback: Emmanuel Emegha
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“He's not yet [available].” Alonso said. “He felt something [on Thursday], a little thing.
“He's going to be training next week but he's still not 100 per cent fit to be playing in the game.
“When he's fit, he is very special because he's 195 centimetres (6ft 5ins). He's quick, he attacks the space, he's a threat.
“So he needs to be fully fit and at this moment he's having little things and unfortunately he's not been available.
“But we are looking forward to that. He feels good and he can help the team but he's going to be difficult for the defenders when he's in good shape.”
Potential return date: November