According to a report by Evening Standard on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Chelsea have been handed a mixture of positive and negative injury updates ahead of their Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. While Emi Martinez and Reece James are set for spells out of action, Pep Chavarria could recover in time to feature in the upcoming derby.

Martinez suffered a fractured jaw in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton following a collision with defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The Argentine was carried off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery, subsequently confirming that the procedure had been successful.

The goalkeeper is expected to miss the next few weeks, potentially returning to action in November. His absence leaves Alonso with an important decision to make regarding Chelsea’s goalkeeping position as the club waits for the injured shot-stopper to regain full fitness.

Chavarria also missed the Everton game after sustaining an injury during a training session the day before the encounter. Chelsea’s manager explained that the club was still monitoring the wing-back’s condition, with the full extent of his injury yet to be established.

Despite the uncertainty, Chavarria could be available for Chelsea’s home clash against Tottenham on October 24. His chances of featuring will depend on how quickly he recovers and whether he passes the necessary fitness tests before kick-off.

James is facing a much more extended period on the sidelines. The Blues captain picked up a knee injury during training, having previously experienced hamstring difficulties. Following surgery, he is expected to spend around three months recovering.

The right-back could consequently be unavailable until January, creating a major problem for Alonso given his importance to the team. James’s versatility means his absence could affect Chelsea’s options both at right-back and in midfield, forcing the manager to consider alternative solutions.

With several demanding fixtures approaching, Alonso must carefully manage his squad amid these injury setbacks. Chavarria’s possible return would strengthen Chelsea’s options against Tottenham, but the prolonged absence of James and the uncertainty surrounding Martinez’s recovery remain troubling developments.

The Blues will now aim to find suitable replacements for their injured players while preserving their recent momentum and pursuing a strong result against their London rivals.