Chelsea and Tottenham are set to clash in the Premier League this weekend, but the fixture will be severely undermined by an injury list totalling 11 players across both squads.
Eleven Players Sidelined as Chelsea Host Tottenham in Premier League Clash
Chelsea and Tottenham are set to clash in the Premier League this weekend, but the fixture will be severely undermined by an injury list totalling 11 players across both squads.
Both sides arrive at the encounter on the back of encouraging results. Chelsea dispatched Everton 2-0 in their most recent outing, while Tottenham claimed their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Coventry City.
Chelsea's mounting injury concerns
The most significant blow for Chelsea is the absence of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who required surgery on a fractured jaw sustained in a collision with Jarred Branthwaite during the Everton match. Martinez posted an update from his hospital bed this week, indicating he expects to return in a few weeks.
Manager Xabi Alonso offered a cautious assessment at his pre-match press conference:
"He's doing better. He had the surgery. Day by day, he's feeling better, but we still need to wait. Few weeks, few weeks. Hopefully less than more, but we need to wait. The good thing is that he's feeling better. He wants to listen to his feelings, the opinion of the doctors, the specialists, the surgeons. Considering it was a bad one, he's been good."
Club captain Reece James is also on the treatment table following a knee operation, with the full-back expected to miss approximately three months of action.
Winger Jamie Gittens remains sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained while on international duty with England Under-21s during the recent break. Alonso has also confirmed that Pep Chavarria — absent against Everton due to a training ground injury — will not be fit in time for the Tottenham fixture.
There are lingering doubts over summer signing Emmanuel Emegha, who encountered a minor setback on his return to training and has yet to make a competitive appearance for Chelsea. On a more positive note, Malo Gusto, who missed the Everton game due to illness, has been declared fit and available.
Tottenham's absentees
Tottenham head into the match without several key figures. Mykhailo Mudryk, Lucas Bergvall, and Savio are all expected to miss the game with knocks, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also unavailable, as he continues to serve a suspension following his red card against Manchester United.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Destiny Udogie will not feature, having been left out of the Coventry win as a precaution. However, Spurs will welcome back Pedro Porro, who returns from a hamstring problem that kept him out of the previous two Premier League fixtures.

