According to reports by Sports Mole on Wednesday November 4, 2026, Chelsea have received a major boost regarding the availability of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni included the injured shot-stopper in his squad for the November international break.

The decision has raised hopes that the 34-year-old could be closer to returning to action following the injury that has kept him out of Chelsea's recent matches.

Martinez sustained a fractured jaw during Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Everton on October 17. The injury occurred following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, forcing the Argentine goalkeeper to undergo surgery.

Since then, the former Aston Villa goalkeeper has been unavailable for Xabi Alonso's side, leaving the manager with the responsibility of finding a replacement between the posts.

However, reports have suggested that Martinez could return earlier than initially expected by wearing a protective face mask.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso had also refused to completely rule out the possibility of the goalkeeper returning to the squad for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Sunderland.

The latest development came on Tuesday night when Scaloni announced his Argentina squad for the upcoming international fixtures, with Martinez included among the selected players.

His inclusion is an encouraging sign for Chelsea, although it does not automatically confirm that he has fully recovered or will be available to play immediately.

The selection could also reflect his importance and experience within the Argentina squad, with the coaching staff potentially hoping to assess his condition and help him regain match sharpness during the international break.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have had to rely on Mike Penders following Martinez's absence.

The 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper has been given opportunities to impress and has produced encouraging performances despite making a mistake during the encounter against Tottenham Hotspur.

Penders subsequently conceded only one goal against Liverpool and Manchester United, with that strike coming from the penalty spot.

His recent performances have strengthened the argument that he deserves to retain his position for Chelsea's upcoming trip to Sunderland.

Although Martinez arrived from Aston Villa as Alonso's first-choice goalkeeper, the Chelsea manager may not want to rush him back into the starting lineup, particularly with an international break approaching after the Sunderland fixture.