Xabi Alonso expects Emi Martinez back in weeks as Penders steps up for Chelsea

Xabi Alonso has offered a cautiously optimistic timeline for Emi Martinez’s return, confirming the Chelsea goalkeeper is recovering well after successful surgery for the serious head injury he suffered in the 2-0 win at Everton last weekend.

Martinez was hospitalised after a sickening collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, the pair clashing heads as the Argentinian came off his line to collect an aerial cross. He received oxygen on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher more than eight minutes after the incident. Alonso confirmed at the time that Martinez was conscious.

The goalkeeper subsequently shared an update from his hospital bed, saying he expected to be “back in a few weeks”. Alonso echoed that assessment on Friday, adding further detail: “He’s doing better. He had the surgery and day by day he’s feeling better but we still need to wait. Few weeks. Hopefully less than more but we need to wait. The good thing is he’s feeling better. He needs to listen to the opinion of the doctors and his surgeons but considering that it was a bad one, he’s doing good.”

Martinez’s absence hands an extended opportunity to second-choice goalkeeper Mike Penders, the 21-year-old Belgian who made his Premier League debut as a substitute at Everton last week. Penders spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and has featured in cup competitions this term, and Alonso has no hesitation in handing him the starting role as Chelsea host Tottenham in a London derby on Saturday.

“He’s ready,” said Alonso. “He’s been training well, he’s played a couple of cup games where he’s showed he has a good level. When he came on against Everton, he showed his personality, his qualities, so that’s why we have a squad to be ready for these kind of situations and we are fully convinced that Mike can play very well.”

Penders has drawn comparisons to fellow Belgian and former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, a likeness Alonso says extends well beyond nationality. “A lot [of similarities],” the Chelsea manager said. “Not just the nationality, but the stature, both-footed, both dominant in the air. I spoke with Thibaut as well at the World Cup asking about Mike. He said himself he could see resemblances with Mike. We need to help him and support him, but he is the keeper for the present and the future.”