Chelsea could be without Amy Martinez until December, missing some of their toughest games of the season.
Xabi Alonso has less than a week to prepare Mike Penders for the biggest test of his career. The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who Chelsea signed from Genk for just £17m in August 2024, will replace Amy Martinez until the end of the year.
Martinez suffered a jaw injury during the Blues’ win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The 34-year-old collided with shot-stopper Carrad Branthwaite as he struggled to make a tackle.
He received emergency medical care within eight minutes and was eventually taken to a waiting ambulance. Martinez was taken to hospital where he underwent a successful operation, the club confirmed in an official statement after the game.
The Argentine international announced in his social network that “the operation went well” and claimed that he will return “in a few weeks”. Despite his hopes of returning to action in November, reports back home suggest he will be sidelined for a bit longer.
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According to Germán García Grova, an Argentine journalist with more than 175,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, Martinez will be sidelined for 45 to 60 days, making him unavailable for selection until December. At this time, it is unclear exactly how long it will take for the goalkeeper to recover.
For context, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek underwent surgery on a broken jaw earlier this year, he was out for 43 days. In the absence of a World Cup winner, Penders will have to step up to the plate.
So, with that being said, football.london Here’s a look at the games Martinez could miss.
In the next 45 days…
If Martinez was out for at least 45 days, he would have missed six games: five in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup. Assuming there are no setbacks or complications during his rehabilitation program, the Argentine will not theoretically return to action until early December.
Tottenham Hotspur (H) – Premier League
All eyes will be on Penders when he makes his first competitive start for Chelsea this weekend. The 21-year-old didn’t look out of place when he came off the bench in the win over Everton when he became the Blues’ youngest ever goalkeeper in the Premier League, so Alonso will be hoping he can hold his nerve.
Liverpool (A) – The fourth round of the Carabao Cup
Another difficult match for “Chelsea”. Alonso will need the likes of Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix at the back, as well as the likes of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, to be in Penders’ ear throughout the game regardless of whether they start at Anfield.
Manchester United (H) – Premier League
After just two games between the sticks now, Penders will likely experience some incredible highs and devastating lows. So when Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge to face Manchester United, the crowd behind the young goalscorer will be needed.
Sunderland (A) – Premier League
The Stadium of Light will be another difficult space for Alonso to navigate. Fortunately for Penders, at least, the Sunderland-Chelsea match has been rescheduled for an early Sunday kick-off, so it will be a little more manageable than a raucous Friday night or Saturday evening under the lights.
Leeds United (H) – Premier League
Penders has already had a taste of Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, featuring between the sticks in Chelsea’s 6-3 Carabao Cup third round win. Although the scoreline might suggest otherwise, the Blues’ keeper performed well on the day; he made some great saves and was not at fault for any of the goals.
This game will be the first game after the November international break.
Nottingham Forest ( A) – Premier League
Penders will certainly come through the squeeze in Martinez’s absence. If Nottingham Forest smell blood, the City Ground could absorb the young Chelsea goalkeeper.
Up to 60 days…
In a nightmare scenario, Martinez could be out 45-60 days; he will probably miss another three games, but at least he has a chance to be back before Christmas. There are plenty of tough fixtures on the calendar over the festive period, so Alonso will be hoping Penders can weather the storm.
Crystal palace (H) – Premier League
This fixture will be the first of many games over the festive period, so it will be a great opportunity for Penders to challenge for a regular place in the starting line-up before Martinez returns. The Argentine can return to training by December and healthy competition can get the best out of him.
Liverpool (H) – Premier League
On paper, facing Liverpool and Manchester City back-to-back may seem quite difficult. But Chelsea have the chance to deliver knockout blows to two direct rivals within days of each other in the race for Champions League qualification.
Manchester City (A) – Premier League
The trip to the Etihad Stadium will be the final test for Penders. This could be a significant checkpoint in his career. The focus will of course be how the players and Alonso react to the tweed dee and tweed dum, but facing Erling Haaland is no walk in the park.