Chelsea lose Emiliano Martinez for several weeks after jaw surgery

Last Saturday at Goodison Park, Emiliano Martinez spent around ten minutes on the ground after a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite at a set piece, then was carried off on a stretcher. Chelsea won 2-0; their goalkeeper left the pitch with a broken jaw.

Operated on in the days after the match, the 34-year-old begins a long lay-off. Foot Mercato reports a minimum of 40 days out and L’Équipe headlines “several weeks”. On social media, Martinez said the operation had gone well and promised a quick return.

“It will take a few weeks. Hopefully less rather than more, we have to wait,” the Chelsea head coach said at his press conference. “The positive thing is that he feels better, and we must follow the advice of the doctors and the surgeons. Given the severity of the situation, he is doing well.”

Mike Penders in goal on Saturday

The consequence is immediate: Chelsea host Tottenham on Saturday (18:30) and Penders starts in place of the Argentina international. Alonso backed him with a flattering comparison to Thibaut Courtois: “Not only the nationality, the stature, the fact that they are both left-footed and dominant. I spoke with Thibaut during the World Cup about Mike, and he said he could see the resemblance too.” In his coach’s words, Penders is “a goalkeeper for the present and for the future”.

The market has not punished Chelsea

The bookmakers have not moved: at 1.79 with 1xbet, Chelsea remain strong favourites for Saturday’s derby, a price that has shortened from 1.90 earlier in the week. Tottenham, 16th, drag a long list of absentees (Bentancur suspended, Mudryk, Odobert and Bergvall injured) and stay at 4.50. This bet turns on Spurs’ team sheet more than on Martinez’s lay-off. Our match preview reads the fixture in full. 18+. Only bet what you can afford to lose.